San Fernando mayor shares gift-of-life story
Celeste Rodriguez, who donated kidney to her brother, was part of OneLegacy entry
Celeste Rodriguez, firstterm mayor of San Fernando, had one special constituent cheering her on at the 135th Rose Parade on Monday. 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.
“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 relations specialist for OneLegacy. “She's living a complete and full life and she's an amazing advocate for donation.”
Rodriguez said she's still getting used to telling people she's a living donor.
“I hope that my story encourages others to consider becoming donors,” she said. “It's safe, it can be transformative and doesn't inhibit you from accomplishing any of your goals, it may even encourage you to pursue them.”
For her, that included public service. Rodriguez and her brother are children of immigrants, but her husband's family have been in San Fernando for 99 years. Her children are sixth-generation San Fernandoans.
“My great great grandmother-in-law Petra Flores came from Jalisco, Mexico with her sons,” Rodriguez said.
Those deep roots help her connect to others. She worked in various city departments
and leads the Community Wealth Initiatives with the Los Angeles Community Investment for Families department.
“I want to help people,” she said. “I love being able to connect with people, families and organizations to problem solve and make connections. I get to represent a beautiful community and work to bring and create resources for those that need them most.”
Ruben Rodriguez Jr., 54, said he can't decide what impresses him most about his little sister, the mayor. For one, he was able to walk his daughter down the aisle this October, something that could not have happened without his kidney transplant.
“I've just been reflecting more on the day my sister gifted me with a kidney and the excitement now I have to watch her walk in the parade,” he said. “She is definitely one of the most caring and giving people I've ever known.”