2019 Fall Softball Derby

The Rodriguez Family Story

“Be helpful. When you see a person without a smile, give them yours.”

This quote by Zig Ziglar perfectly encapsulates Anthony’s approach to life. We’ve all known that person who is willing to make a fool of himself to put a smile on someone else’s face. That’s who Anthony is. Although he had a tough childhood, Anthony was always able to find the bright side of every situation and bring joy to others.

In fact, he and his family regularly help the community and give back to others. They adopt a family each Christmas so others can experience the Christmas magic they love so much. They take part in toy drives, donate book bags for back-to-school, and have even helped pay for a student from Anthony’s alma mater, PTHS, to go on his Senior Class Trip. Anthony is the type of man who never wants anyone to go without if he can help. But now, Anthony is in need of our help.

In January 2018, at 39 years old, Anthony was running a construction company, juggling two busy kids and their active schedules (Domenic 16, Danielle 9), and looking forward to celebrating ten years of marriage to his wife, Dawn. On the 21st of that month, without any warning, he suffered a major heart attack. Two days later, that heart attack led to a stroke. Doctors said he was lucky to be alive. Being alive wasn’t enough, though; he insisted on thriving. So he did just that, for as long as his broken heart allowed. He was able to go back to his “normal” until August 2018. However, that month, his heart weakened and began functioning at only 10%. After extensive testing, he was placed on the UNOS heart transplant list. Now, Anthony and his family wait. He didn’t plan to be blindsided and sidelined from the life he worked so hard for, but he won’t give up!

Please consider helping Anthony and his family get through their darkest days as they wait for a new heart and a new life. This Fundly campaign was created at the insistence of family and friends who know there are countless others Anthony has impacted who are unable to join us in providing daily emotional, spiritual and other support to Anthony, Dawn, Domenic, and Danielle. If your life has been impacted by Anthony or his family, this is your opportunity to respond with your own love and support. We also request your prayers for a successful surgery and strength and resilience for his family in this trying time.

If you would like to assist with their financial burden, any donation through Fundly would be greatly appreciated. All funds raised will go directly to Anthony’s medical expenses and related costs such as out of pocket costs that insurance won’t cover, pre (and post) transplant expenses, and travel costs to and from appointments for testing. Some of these medications run upwards of $3000 per month and are vital to Anthony staying healthy and not rejecting the new heart.

On behalf of Anthony and Dawn, their closest friends, and the entire Rodriguez family, we appreciate the outpouring of love, prayers, and support shown over the past few weeks and, undoubtedly, in the months to come.