When asked to describe her husband of 45 years, Maria, affectionately known as “Chelo,” has a lifetime of memories to draw from.
“Rogelio had a generous heart and was always willing to help others, even when he had little to give,” she said. “No act of kindness was ever too small. Above all, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Our family was the center of his life. He loved us deeply, worked tirelessly for us, and made sure we always felt protected, supported, and unconditionally loved. He was a man of few words, but every word carried wisdom, kindness, and purpose.”
Rogelio was the proud father of three boys but had a particularly soft spot for his two granddaughters. He danced with them, enjoyed “teatime” with them and even allowed them to paint his fingernails.
“He was a really wonderful grandfather,” said Chelo. “I took so many pictures of him holding them in his arms. Our youngest son is now expecting a baby at the end of October. He would be so happy.”
At 71, Rogelio passed away from congestive heart failure. He had been a registered organ donor since receiving his driver’s license, so Chelo knew donation was exactly what he would have wanted. Still, she wasn’t sure whether donation would be possible. Because of his heart failure, Rogelio’s organs could not be donated, but tissue donation was still possible.
“HonorBridge explained to me that he could donate many other things, like skin, heart valves, bones, and corneas,” said Chelo. “They asked me for permission, and I gave it. He was always ready to help people.”
Rogelio’s love and kindness extended to complete strangers all across the world. Fifteen grafts were created from his donated tissues, including bone, tendon, pericardium and skin, and transplanted to recipients in California, Ohio, and Oregon. One of Rogelio’s corneas was transplanted to a 22-year-old man in North Carolina and the other was transplanted to a 10-year-old boy in the United Kingdom.
“Although he is no longer physically with us, his legacy continues in our hearts and in the lives he touched,” said Chelo. “And even in his passing, his love continues to give life through the gift of tissue donation. That final act of generosity reflects the way he lived his entire life. Always giving, always loving.”
Chelo says the aftercare she has received from HonorBridge since Rogelio’s passing has been incredibly healing and a gentle reminder that, although her husband is gone, he is not forgotten.
“The book that I received, the donor medal, the little pins and the hearts that they sent to me, all of it was so comforting,” said Chelo. “When I received the letter telling me how many people he has helped so far, I began to cry. All of those people have hope, and two of those people can see now, all because of my husband’s selflessness. Isn’t that amazing?”
Inspired by her husband’s legacy, Chelo encourages other families to say yes to donation, even in the midst of grief, and to trust that HonorBridge will be there to support them every step of the way.
“When my husband died, part of my heart went with him,” said Chelo. “But HonorBridge helped me navigate new paths. They gave me support, comfort, reassurance, and the ability to begin to heal. Now, I understand that his life is still continuing. His love didn’t end. The love that we had was transformed into something that still lives here on Earth. He has touched the world.”
75 or more lives can be saved and healed by one organ, eye, and tissue donor. Sign up today!