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KIDNEY DONOR

Gadsden school board member donates kidney to retired educator

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“Never did it cross my mind to say ‘no,’” Gadsden Independent School District (GISD) Board of Education member Claudia Rodriguez said about her decision to donate a kidney to her long-time friend and mentor, retired GISD educator Toni Jacquez.

After a delay of several months because of COVID-19, the successful transplant took place in February at Las Palmas Medical Center in El Paso. Both recipient and donor are doing well, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez, who lives on the outskirts of La Mesa, said she first got to know Jacquez, who lives in Chamberino, when she was a student at Gadsden Middle School and Jacquez was a school counselor. Jacquez also served GISD as a teacher and principal before retiring.

They continued to stay in touch, sharing a passion for education and becoming “very close, creating advocacy and awareness,” Rodriguez said. “We lean on each other for everything that has to do for education.”

During their travels together, Rodriguez said she became aware that Jacquez was having serious health issues. Jacquez told Rodriguez in December 2019 that she would have to begin dialysis unless she could find a kidney donor.

Thinking, ““this is an education warrior who I need to help,” Rodriguez immediately volunteered to be tested to see if she was a compatible donor.

Jacquez was hesitant because Rodriguez and her husband, Jesus, have four children, ages 7, 13, 19 and 24.

“I talked to my husband,” Rodriguez said, telling him, “This is happening with her and I would like to help her.” Jesus Rodriguez told his wife, “’If you think that’s what you want to do, do it.”

After some discussion, their children were on board as well.

Rodriguez also connected by Zoom with her parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. Last Thanksgiving Day, she told them about the upcoming donation.

“We have been blessed with many, many great things,” Rodriguez said. “It’s my turn to give back.”

“My beautiful family, all of them, they were all on board,” she said.

After a few delays, the three-hour surgery was performed Feb. 15.

Rodriguez spent three days in the hospital following the surgery, but that didn’t keep her from her GISD work.

“My duties continued as a board member,” said Rodriguez, who joined the board in January 2020. “No way was I going to leave my role as a board member behind. I haven’t stopped. It is a duty I don't take lightly.”

The board has returned to face-to-face meetings, but Rodriguez is continuing to attend via Google Meet until her recovery is complete.

Rodriguez said she has had “great, great, great support” since the surgery. “My husband has been an angel in helping me with everything. He’s in complete charge of the house.”

In a recent phone call, Jacquez told Rodriguez life is returning to normal.

Claudia Rodriguez, Toni Jacquez

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