Help Rosie and Her Family Rebuild After Transplant

Rocio (Rosie) Rodriguez has endured several heartbreaks over the last few years. This wonderful and joyful mother to 4 beautiful children (Zaira 18, Victor 16, Michael 9, Lincoln 7), loving daughter, and friend has gone through more in the last few years of her life than some experience in a lifetime.

In 2013, her beloved sister became ill and was diagnosed with a genetic syndrome called Wilson's disease. This disease does not allow the body to properly metabolize copper, and so it builds up in different organs, leading to organ damage. Her sister's health worsened, and she passed in August of 2013, just 8 months after being diagnosed and before she was able to get a liver transplant. At that time, Rosie and her brother underwent medical testing and discovered that they also had Wilson's disease. Rosie's case was not as severe as her sister's. She immediately changed her diet and began medications to prevent further damage to her liver. Challenges with insurance coverage made it difficult for her to get the continuity care she needed with her specialists. Rosie would likely need a liver transplant if copper continued to accumulate.

Then, in December 2018, a few days before Christmas, Rosie's loyal and loving husband developed abdominal pain. He saw his doctor and was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He passed away 18 months later in the midst of the pandemic (May 2020), leaving Rosie grieving while still dealing with her own medical issues and to care for their two young sons, at that time ages 5 and 2 1/2.

Rosie then became more and more ill, and she discovered around Thanksgiving 2023 that her liver function had further deteriorated. She would likely need a transplant sooner than later. She underwent months of testing, and in February 2024, she had completed her testing and was able to qualify for a transplant. By that time, she was so ill that she remained hospitalized and went to the top of the transplant list. She received her transplanted organ on March 19, 2024. Since that time, she has been hospitalized 3 additional times, each hospitalization lasting at least one week. She also had to take about 5 months off from work to recover and has been away from work a total of 8 months within the last year.

This vibrant, loving mother feels so incredibly grateful for the organ transplant she was able to receive and the care from her providers. She has also had incredibly supportive friends and family who have helped her get through these last 12 months. She already feels like she has won the lottery. But her savings have been depleted, and her and her family would be incredibly grateful for any donations that their neighbors and community can give. Please help this single mother and her family.

Blessings to you.