Margo Diaz gave Justin Dalmida her heart when she married him at the start of this month on St. John. But what the groom really needs is a kidney. What's a bride to do?
Diaz has no hesitation: She's going to donate one, if testing determines they are compatible.
And so, from noon to 8 p.m. on Easter Monday in Coral Bay, music, food and fun are merging into a "Friends of Justin" fund raiser to help the couple move temporarily to Atlanta, where Diaz says she hopes the kidney transplant can take place. The festivities will be held in the patio at the Sputnik bar and restaurant.
"The goal is to raise funds because I'm donating a kidney to Justin and I won't be able to work until it's done," Diaz said as she stopped to chat on a bench over the weekend in Cruz Bay Park.
Dalmida was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease in January when a bout of influenza landed him in intensive care at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital. Suffering from the hereditary disease that had stricken other close family members, the prospective bridegroom wound up commuting from St. John for kidney dialysis three times a week. At the time he learned of his condition, the couple had been together four years and was already making summer wedding plans.
With the help of a friend, Diaz said, she started searching the Internet looking for help. She liked the idea of becoming a live kidney donor because it would reduce the wait for an organ to become available through a donor bank. She also said the decision to marry on April 2 was made with a thought toward streamlining the donor process by becoming a family member.
The couple exchanged their vows at Shipwreck Landing Restaurant, one of the places Diaz has showcased her singing talents. "They commend me for my courage for marrying Justin and his being ill, but I love this man and I had committed myself to him a long time ago," she said.
The two of them have have matching blood types, she said. Next Saturday, she will set off for Emory University Medical Center to undergo tests for tissue compatibility. If all goes well, Dalmida is expected to follow within a month.
Diaz has a day job as a secretary for St. John's Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in addition to working as a vocalist at resorts and special events with local combos. When the bride, family and friends decided to hold the fund raiser, music colleague Rich Greeingold agreed to help line up the bands. "A lot of local musicians will donate their time," she said.
In addition to music, the organizers are planning raffles, crab races and a kite-flying contest at Sputnik. And, Diaz said, a benefit food sale is being put together by some of the people who cooked for their wedding.
