A Second Chance...

I know, kind of a weird name for a site but, stay with me. It'll all make sense soon.

I'm Alonso Portillo. Most of you know me and have known me for many years. But many of you don't know what the last 3 1/2 years have been like for me. In January 2019, I was diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease. This seemed to come out of the blue since my family had no history of kidney disease and up until that time, had been relatively healthy and active. I was put on Dialysis, Three days a week for about 4.5 hours each time. My doctors said that a Kidney transplant was necessary.

During the last three and a half years, I maintained a full-time job, dialysis and as much as I could get done in the time I had left. I've been told that my situation definitely changed the person many of you knew. Constantly tired from dialysis left little in the gas tank to give to others like I like. I stopped playing music live, though tried to play a few shows. Travelling was difficult since I had to make sure I could get dialysis wherever I would travel to. But more important, was the toll my condition took on my family and close friends - worry and concern for my health and just wanting me to be my old self.

I am eternally grateful for the support and love of my close family and friends during this time. Their understanding when I had to turn down attending birthdays or other get-togethers. Trust me, I would have rather been there with you.

I was placed on the transplant list in Feb of 2020, right before COVID hit pandemic levels. Since then, I had a few calls but in the end they didn't pan out for one reason or another. On August 14th 2022, I received a call that a kidney may be available. I didn't get too excited since previous calls didn't work out. But, late on August 15th, I was told to go to Baptist Medical Center to prepare for surgery. And at 6:30 AM on Tuesday August 16, 2022, I was wheeled back into Surgery with Dr. Scott Samara and his amazing team. A little over 4 hours later, I had a new Kidney and began my recovery.

Oh, and the name - Rodney. Well, I have to give credit to my brother Toby and amazing Girlfriend Kate for that. My brother asked if I named him, and I honestly hadn't thought about it. But the name that just popped up with Rodney. It felt appropriate and so that's what we went with. So, Rodney, welcome to the family!

So far, everything seems to be working as expected. I'm on a myriad of medications designed to keep my body from rejecting Rodney and that will be a life-long process for me. But after awhile, I expect I'll be at 100% and will continue being the Zo you all know (maybe even better lol).

Many of you have expressed your thoughts and prayers and I am eternally grateful for all of them. Some of you have brought by food or helped clean around my house to keep me from getting sick while my immune system is reduced and I couldn't be more appreciative. Some of you have asked how else you can help. The reality is a Kidney transplant will cost north of $400,000. That doesn't account for the medications that I will be on the rest of my life. While insurance will pick up a good amount of this, there will always be some cost associated with this new lease on life.

The National Foundation for Transplants is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping transplant recipients raise funds to help offset the financial burden associated with organ transplants. They accept tax-deductible donations in my honor. Those funds then go to any medical expenses I submit to them for payment. I am fortunate that I can work and have a great job, but every little bit helps. You can help by making a tax-deductible donation to NFT in my honor. If you'd prefer to send your gift by mail, please send it to:

Please be sure to write "in honor of Alonzo Portillo” on the memo line.

Please don't feel obligated to give. Your friendship, thoughts and prayers are certainly more than I could ever ask.

If you have any questions, want to check on my recovery or just say hi to Rodney, feel free to send us a message!

I love you all and look forward to getting back in touch with all of you and enjoying this second chance at life!