‘El Puma’ will address the media for the first time to share his transplant journey and progress along with his medical team as part of Donate Life Month.

Who:

José Luis Rodriguez known as ‘El Puma’, transplant recipient
Matthias Loebe, MD, UHealth program director for thoracic transplantation and mechanical circulatory support
Nicolas Brozzi, MD, UHealth heart and lung transplant surgeon
Yiliam Rodriguez-Blanco, MD, chief of cardiothoracic anesthesia
Neeraj Sinha, MD, medical director of the lung transplant program

What:

Venezuelan born artist, José Luis Rodriguez known as ‘El Puma,’ has for decades entertained adoring fans on stages worldwide and on television screens in Spanish-language soap operas. But in the early 2000s, now 75-year-old Rodriguez noticed physical changes affecting his body. His voice changed dramatically to a lower tone, and he could no longer travel to high-altitude cities such as Bogota or Mexico City.

As Rodriguez’s conditioned worsened, he went to see his primary physician in Miami, where he’s lived since the 1990s. His doctor diagnosed him with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) – a type of lung disease that results in scarring of the lungs for an unknown reason. As the scarring gets worse, patients have difficulty in breathing. It actually kills more Americans than breast cancer.

“I remember my last performance on stage was in Barranquilla, Colombia, and I felt I was going to die,” recalls Rodriguez. “My heart was beating really fast not understanding what was wrong with me.”

Fans became more concerned about his failing health as they watched him perform with an oxygen tank to help him breathe. That is when Rodriguez began looking for solutions to improve his quality of life.

Daily physical activities such as breathing, walking, tying his shoes, and taking a shower became difficult – it was a challenge to even leave the house. That was when his primary doctor referred him to Miami Transplant Institute (MTI), an affiliation between the University of Miami Health System and Jackson Health System.

There, doctors determined that Rodriguez’s lung disease had advanced to the point that his only chance of survival was a double lung transplant.

“Patients and their families need to be aware of this disease and the limited treatment options,” said Matthias Loebe, MD, UHealth program director for thoracic transplantation and mechanical circulatory support. “Early referral to a lung transplant program is the only way to prolong life and explore ways to improve quality of life.”

In order to be considered a good candidate for a transplant, patients must have social support and motivation, and they must live a healthy and active lifestyle. Once a major factor, age is not the only thing considered, even for a nearly 75-year-old like Rodriguez, explains Neeraj Sinha, MD, lung transplant director at the Miami Transplant Institute.

“It was uncommon for individuals above 70 years of age to receive a lung transplant,” said Dr. Sinha. “But as surgical techniques and post-transplant care have improved, more centers accept this patient population.”

Rodriguez was placed on the national waiting list on August 25, 2017.

“This was God telling me to put a stop in life and take care of my health,” said Rodriguez. “As a performer I’ve traveled for over 50 years giving my all to my fans wholeheartedly; but sometimes in life you have to put yourself first.”

Rodriguez was admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital on December 16 when he received the call that a donor match was available.

Dr. Loebe, along with a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists, and staff, led a successful double lung transplant operation that took five hours.

“I believe in supernatural miracles and miracles with science,” said Rodriguez. “And this hospital does miracles every day and I knew that I was in the hands of the right people.”

During his post-transplant recovery, Rodriguez recently celebrated his 75th birthday. He would love to sing again and help people; but for now, his focus remains on improving his health.

“My advice to others going through something similar is that transplant is the answer,” said Rodriguez. “It’s like dying and coming back to life – it has been the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through but I overcame this with patience, faith, and hope.”

MTI is the only center in South Florida to perform every type of organ transplant. The center has performed over 150 lung-related transplants and according to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), our center has done over 11,000 transplants of all organ types positioning MTI to be one of the world’s leading transplant centers since its opening in 1970.

José Luis Rodriguez ‘El Puma’ wants to share his transplant journey with his audience and fans through the media, raise awareness about this disease, and highlight the importance of organ donation that leads to saving lives as April is Donate Life Month.

When:

April 20, 2018, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Where:

Jackson Memorial Hospital
Ira C. Clark Treatment Center, Room 259
On the corner of Northwest 12th Avenue and 19th Street

Editor’s Note:

Media can park in media lot at Ryder Trauma.
Dr. Brozzi and Dr. Rodriguez-Blanco are available for Spanish interviews.
Dropbox: https://bit.ly/2qwfejM

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Jackson Health System
1611 N.W. 12th Avenue Miami, FL 33136