TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa Bay couple said every day is like Valentine’s Day for them, but Feb. 14 is a reminder of how an organ donation helped keep their love alive.
Every other week, Ray and Lori Rodriguez visit the beach to reflect on how far they've come. The couple fell in love over 40 years ago.
“She's my little rockstar. Her nickname was 'Chili Pepper.' She's my little chili pepper,” Ray Rodriguez said.
The two got engaged on Valentine's Day and were married six months later.
“We traveled around the country. We took a one and half month road trip,” Lori Rodriguez said.
The Rodriguez’s renewed their vows 20 years later, like true rockstars.
“We flew to Vegas,” Lori Rodriguez said.
They said the key to a happy marriage is remembering your vows, through sickness and in health.
“She donated her kidney to me and it saved my life,” Ray Rodriguez said.
Lori said there was no doubt in her mind about donating.
“I saw what he went through on dialysis three days a week in the center four hours each day,” Lori Rodriguez said.
She was there for him then and 18 years later when he needed another transplant. This time, he was added to the waiting list. The couple made billboards and posters begging for a donor.
“Right now, there's currently 100,000 nationwide and we need to get more people transplanted. 5,100 in Florida,” Lori Rodriguez said.
Ashley Moore with LifeLink Foundation said there are several misconceptions when it comes to donating that contribute to the waitlist.
“It's actually very rare to be an organ donor because you have to pass away in such a specific manner which is really by brain death in a hospital setting,” Moore said.
Rodriguez was on the list for five years until a donor heard his call on a podcast.
“One condition was we had to remain friends. That's a love story in itself,” Ray Rodriguez said.
This donation gives him more time with his life partner. Now, the couple is encouraging others to do the same.
“You never know whose life you can save or improve their quality of life,” Lori Rodriguez said.
Lifelink said there's not an age limit on when you can become a donor. You can also sign up to be a living donor for certain organs. To register, you can visit donatelifeflorida.org or register when you're obtaining or renewing your license.