Giving the Gift of Life: Frank Rodriguez
If you had the chance to help someone live just one more day, would you take it?
For Frank Rodriguez, commissary clerk at Willacy County State Jail, the answer is a resounding ‘yes.’ His life changed forever when disaster struck his family six years ago.
“I had an 11-year-old nephew – Thomas Rodriguez – who passed away from leukemia in 2004,” Rodriguez says. “He was diagnosed on February 6 and on February 24 he was gone.”
This tragic experience kindled in Rodriguez a passion to help others – and he soon had an opportunity to do just that.
While donating blood at a facility blood drive, Rodriguez was asked if he would like to be a blood marrow donor. He agreed and was placed on the donor registry. Four years later, he found out he was a match for someone who desperately needed a bone marrow transplant; that patient happened to be suffering from leukemia, the same disease that had taken his nephew’s life.
“When I found out it was leukemia, it motivated me a little more,” Rodriguez says.
He was asked to donate stem cells, which would help to replenish the patient’s bone marrow. For nearly a week, Rodriguez received injections to stimulate stem cell growth in his body - and the injections didn’t come without a price; at first, Rodriguez experienced mild soreness, and then the pain intensified as the stem cells began to gather around his joints, which is a normal part of the procedure.
“They gave me five injections on my arm – one each day for five days – and on the third day I had to drive four hours to San Antonio where they did the collection,” Rodriguez says.
Collecting the stem cells from Rodriguez’ body was an eight-hour process after which the stems cells were sent overnight to the leukemia patient – someone Rodriguez knows he may never meet.
“All I know is that he’s a 41-year-old man,” he says. “They didn’t tell me much about him. I hope that I’ve helped him and if I were asked to do it again, I would do it in a heartbeat!”
Although not all of Rodriguez’s co-workers know about his generous stem cell donation, his character is certainly evident to those around him.
“Frank is unselfish and is not seeking attention for his good deeds,” says Orlando Perez, warden at Willacy. “As a person he is very caring about his fellow man in general and especially kids. I have not spent much time with him outside of work but I do know that he is a dedicated family man.”
John Butler, case manager and public information officer at Willacy, says Rodriguez’s extraordinary generosity is a consistent part of his lifestyle.
“Frank has one of the biggest hearts I know,” Butler says. “He’s a guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you asked for it. He gave a complete stranger the opportunity to live, even if it was just for one more day. How many of us can say we have given such a precious gift?”
By DeAndra Mack
Sound Out
SCO Eva Weaver at Willacy State Jail:
Mr. Rodriguez, You are a true blessing! I am very honored to know you! May God Bless You!! Thank You for making a Difference!!
Daniel Mendoza at Eloy Detention Center:
This is exemplary!
Lisa Crum at NEOCC:
You are a shining example of someone living the CCA Way!
Rebecca Williams at North Fork Correctional Facility:
Just one more example of the type of people our coworkers are. What a giving person Mr Rodriguez is and I know he will someday be rewarded for his kindness. Bless you, you are a true hero.
James Carey at Diamondback:
Blessed is he who does not think but acts selflessly to help those who need it the most. This proves that compassion is not dead.........proof that pay it forward works Mr. Rodriguez, you are a good man, and rest assured your nephew appreciates you and what you have done, you have saved someones uncle, someones nephew and someones Father. Thank you for showing the world how we here at CCA handle things.
Louise Grant at FSC:
What a great example! And with April being National Volunteer month, it's great to read about an inspiring volunteer of life-giving cells. Thanks, Frank, for sharing your story.
John Butler at Willacy State Jail:
Mr. Rodriguez is again in San Antonio today (5-3-10) for the same procedure. Our thoughts are with him and those that he helps! He should be back to work on Wedmesday (5-5-10).
Kathy Miller at FSC:
It is due to you, a giving, unselfish human being that allows us cancer survivors to LIVE! God bless you!
Amanda Deaton at Lee Adjustment Center:
Mr. Rodriguez, there should be more just like you!