Beloved Chicago-area teacher, Nathon Rodrigues, is in need of a heart transplant as he battles hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Rodrigues, a former art teacher at Oak Park Elementary School and current employee of St. Ignatius College Prep, has been diagnosed with heart failure at the age of 44. This condition is characterized by the thickening of heart walls due to irregular heartbeats, leading to high blood pressure. Rodrigues’s father, who also suffered from the same condition, underwent a successful heart transplant that extended his life by 17 years. Now, Rodrigues himself must face a similar journey as he awaits a potential life-saving organ donation.
Although doctors warn that the wait for a heart transplant can range from three months to a year or longer, Rodrigues remains hopeful. He is eager to witness significant milestones in his 12-year-old daughter’s life, including her high school graduation, college experience, and eventually starting a family of her own. Rodrigues emphasizes that his future relies on the generosity of others. In the meantime, Rodrigues has his bag packed, ready to receive a midnight call. This April, during National Donate Life Month, individuals are encouraged to register as organ donors on the website LifeGoesOn.com. In the spirit of hope and generosity, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support Nathon Rodrigues in his quest for a new heart.
