Celeste Rodriguez, first-term mayor of San Fernando, had one special constituent cheering her on at the 135th Rose Parade on Jan. 1. Her eldest brother Ruben was in the grandstands with Rodriguez’s husband Robert Gonzales, their son David and daughter Alba.
Rodriguez walked the parade as a living donor, having donated a kidney to her brother Ruben 10 years ago. The nonprofit that helped make it happen, OneLegacy, invited the mayor to honor her donation and the commitment she’s made to amplify the message to donate.
The New Year’s Day adventure was incredible, Rodriguez said.
- For a recap of Rose Parade coverage, visit here.
“Throughout the process of preparing and participating in the parade with OneLegacy, I found community and empowerment to share my story,” she said. “Walking along Colorado Boulevard, I watched families wave and cheer for our float. A couple people in the crowd shared that they were donor recipients. The impact of donation is do far reaching. I’m glad we could be part of sharing that message with others.”
Rodriguez was 24 when she became a living donor for her brother.
“I didn’t yet have a husband or kids,” she said. “It was a decision I made knowing one day I might have a family. It wasn’t an easy decision. My family was scared. But with more information and time, I felt more sure I could do this for my family.”
The days after the transplant surgery were painful, Rodriguez remembers. But when she walked over to see Ruben in his room, all the pain felt worth it when he reported his urine output looked healthy.
“For someone needing kidney function, it was a tremendous mark of success,” she said. “We have a picture together celebrating this moment.”
Rodriguez has many fans outside her family, too. Staff at the nonprofit OneLegacy, based in Azusa, said they appreciate the mayor’s ready support for Donate Life Living Donor Day in April.
“She’s a great ally,” said Tania Llavaneras, media…
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