Facebook is an absolute firework for me. Sometimes, however, a connection can make a difference in your life.
This week’s Feel-Good Friday is one of those times. It’s a wonderful story that reflects the importance of giving and sacrifice, as well as the power we have when we share our life.
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John Rubino is a Stamford resident and Marine Corps vet. He was looking through his Facebook account in February 2019, when he saw the status update of Robyn Anne Blosio. Blosio’s friend, Jessica Rabasco, also a Stamford native, was in declining health.
Rabasco began experiencing headaches in 2018. She went to the doctor. Following tests, it was found that her kidneys had a 5 percent efficiency. The hospital admitted her and she started nine months of dialysis.
Rabasco had to have a transplant of her kidneys in order save her life.
John Rubino, a Marine Corps veteran, is a great individual. Upon discharge, Rubino continued to serve his fellow leatherheads as a member of the Marine Corps League’s Lock City Detachment. Rubino funds the Assistance Fund to help wounded Marines in Connecticut and their families. This organization also donates funds to other programs like, “Operation Gift Card,” and the “Fisher House,” which provides lodging for the families of wounded Marines who are being treated at the National Naval Medical Center.
Even with this life of distinguished service and honorable sacrifice, Rubino raised that bar: He chose to donate a kidney to save Jessica Rabasco’s life.
On Aug. 6, 2019, Rabasco received Rubino’s left kidney. Rabasco has a normal, healthy life with the exception of a small rejection scare in 2021.
“It was such an amazing feeling to be able to bring that relief to her and her family,” Rubino said. “People give me a lot of credit for saving someone’s life. I try to tell them that you get just as much back being a donor as the recipient does by receiving the gift of life.”
Contrary to the movie’s character 7 PoundsRubino doesn’t want to be a penancer for past sins. He simply wants to help others in any way possible.
Rubino’s Marine Corps experience has been a lasting memory throughout his life. This experience has sparked a sense of compassion and love for other people.
“It’s about belonging to something that’s bigger than yourself,” he said. “It says something a little bit more about being kind in itself. You can give that gift to somebody else with very low impact to your own life, and save somebody else’s.”
Rubino was still recovering from his removal of the kidney. He began to explore ways that he could give back through organ donation. It is rare to find people who donate more than one organ in America. United Network for Organ Sharing reports that 50 Americans have donated multiple organs to different individuals in the United States over the past 25-years. Rubino chose to become 51. Rubino agreed to be a donor of his partial liver after he had checked that it was in good health. Before he was considered, he had to wait another one year.
Rubino was sent to Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y., after another six-months of testing, which started in September last year. Rubino received notification about two weeks later that there had been a match. It was a baby girl aged seven months.
Rubino donated part of his left liver on March 2 to the girl. Aside from our skin, the liver is the only organ that can regenerate; so within a matter of months, Rubino’s liver will restore itself and return to its former weight, although its size will be different. The hope for that baby girl is that Rubino’s donated portion of liver will grow with her body into a fully-functional, healthy organ.
While standard procedure is to not allow the donor to have knowledge or details about the recipient or the recipient’s family, in both of these cases, Rubino has been able to meet the organ recipients.
Rabasco’s mother wanted Rubino to meet Jessica, so around a month before the 2019 transplant surgery, the mother arranged for them to meet at the salon where Jessica worked. In 2021, two years after the surgery and through a unique set of circumstances, Rubino moved near Rabasco’s salon.
Rubino was raised and born in Stamford. He moved to Stamford to be near his family in May 2021 after living for two years in Bethel. In a twist of fate, he happened to find an apartment a few doors down from Rabasco’s salon.
“I see her all the time. Together, we spent all of the holidays. We are like family,” Rubino said.
The two are now planning to make the marriage official. Rubino spoke to News Nation about his relationship with Rabasco, revealing that they are now officially married.
Rubino first met Ariany Perez in March 2009. Ariany was the little girl who got a portion of Rubino’s liver. Rubino gifted the infant, now eight months old, a Guardian Angel bracelet.
Rubino, in my opinion, fits the bill perfectly.
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