Santiago Robles donated 75% of his liver to save Elena Perez’s life.
SAN ANTONIO — This Valentine’s Day a San Antonio man gave the ultimate gift, a piece of himself.
In March of 2024 Elena Perez was told she had tumors on her liver and would need it removed. Her fiancé was a match and decided he would give her his liver.
Refusing to leave each others side and never give up on life Perez and Santiago Robles left University Hospital on Feb. 4th after fighting their biggest battle together.
Their mindset and faith pushed them through the hardest moments.
“I’m here for you (Elena), whatever you need let’s go at it together,” Robles said.
After months of being denied liver donors Robles gave up 75% of his in January.
The two entered a program at University Hospital where they get into what Robles described as a ‘circulation’ of donors. Robles gave his liver to a random person who was then able to give theirs to Perez.
They had to do this because even though Robles was a match with Perez, he was missing that 1%. Doctors explained that his liver was too large to place into Perez’s body.
“It makes me so emotional because it’s been two weeks and now it’s like wow there’s no cancer in my body anymore….it’s really an amazing feeling,” Perez said.
But Robles wasn’t the only one who said yes in this process. Just before the surgery in January, that fall he asked Elena to marry him.
“I was saying the vows happened already…in sickness and health…it’s like a preparation for what’s to come,” Robles said.
Through this a partnership a stronger partnership was created that will live on.
“For me I know it stops at me and I know my children will not inherit this at all and I’m declaring that over my kids,” Perez added.
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