Operation Superheroes: Help Kyle Fight Kidney Disease

Kyle Rodrigues (aka, Kai), who is 7 years old, will undergo surgery on October 4, 2024, to receive a much-needed kidney transplant. His father, Alex Rodrigues, will be his kidney donor undergoing surgery that same day.

The Rodrigues Family. If you have had the opportunity to meet this family, you most certainly know the profound goodness they possess. Together Alex and Nicole have created a nurturing, warm home with their children Bella, Maya, Dylan, and Kai. This busy family is full of love, energy, laughter, and strength. When their youngest was born with kidney disease, they knew they had a long medical journey ahead of them, but they did not falter. Their strength and love only grew to greater heights.

Before Kai was born, just 7 years ago, Alex and Nicole learned that he had cysts on his developing kidneys. Before he even had the chance to celebrate his 1st birthday, the severity of the cysts on one of his kidneys caused it to dissolve entirely, leaving him with just one minimally functioning kidney. Doctors told his parents that Kai would need a transplant before the age of 2.

Nicole and Alex’s determination, faith, and mindful support of Kyle through the years helped to increase his kidney function and far surpassed doctors’ expectations of what was ever thought possible. From his first days, Kyle’s battle to thrive was apparent and his parents' devotion to support his health both traditionally and holistically was unwavering. Endless doctor appointments, constant blood work to closely monitor his levels, and extensive prescription and supplement protocols are just part of life for the Rodrigues family.

Kai’s resilience is felt. As he continues to grow, however, his low-functioning kidney has found it harder to keep up and can no longer support him on its own. His growing young body and organs need the aid of a stronger kidney. The time has come for a transplant.

Kai has an intelligent, humorous, and feisty personality. The “Kyle comments” reveal a wise-beyond-his-years young boy, who continues to amaze us with his remarkable memory, whimsical ideas, and animated presence. Full of energy and spunk, Kai loves to jump, climb, run, tease, swing, and dance. Although the days and months ahead will now limit his active love of daring moves, Kai’s vibrant personality and soulful presence are his foundation, which will allow him to courageously and quickly persevere.

On October 4th, Kyle’s transplant is scheduled at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. As the match for his son, Alex will undergo surgery on the same day but in a different Pittsburgh hospital to donate one of his kidneys to Kai. Alex and Nicole recently had the daunting task of explaining the upcoming surgeries to their children. They lovingly and creatively reframed it in a way so the kids could better process it:

“Daddy has two kidneys named Batman and Ironman, and Kyle has one smaller kidney named Robin. Robin needs a little extra help these days, so Daddy is going to send his buddy Batman over; Ironman is strong enough that he doesn’t need Batman as much as Robin does...”

Just as Alex and Nicole were able to ease the news of the upcoming weeks of surgery and separation, we hope you can ease the financial strain for the family. Following the surgery, both parents will remain in Pittsburgh with Kai for an extended time to attend the many required follow-up appointments at the hospital to ensure the success of the transplant. Once they are cleared to return home, they will reunite with their older children and continue to aid Kai in his extended recovery.

No amount of planning can prepare any family for a moment like this. Alex and Nicole will both take extended leaves from their jobs as they come together to focus on the most important roles of their lives - nursing Kyle and maintaining the bond of their family through this challenging time.

With diminished income and mounting expenses, any amount of monetary support will help the Rodrigues family. Their expenses will include additional housing while in Pittsburgh, follow-up appointments for both Kyle and Alex, childcare coverage for siblings, copious medical bills, and costly anti-rejection medications post-transplant.

Their story is one of FAMILY, FAITH, STRENGTH, and above all LOVE.

Thank you for pausing to read Kyle’s story, for being part of the journey, and for your support and prayers. Your kindness and generosity will provide much-needed financial relief, allowing them to heal more peacefully.

We look forward to getting these incredible Superheroes reunited, so Kai can have a stronger tomorrow.

This message is enveloped with love, light, and gratitude.