In this ever-changing world, we do not always hear the good stories, the ones that remind us how a single person can help others in extraordinary ways. One of those people is Stamford native John Rubino, an infantry trained United States Marine veteran whose service did not end with his honorable discharge. Instead, it transformed into a rare and extraordinary commitment: saving lives through the gift of living organ donation.
Today, John stands among only about 100 people in the United States who are double living organ donors, a distinction that reflects both his strength and his steady heart.
Born and raised in Stamford, John is the only child of Anthony and Mary Rubino. After returning home from his service in the Marines, he earned his bachelor’s degree, carrying with him the discipline, humility, and sense of duty that shaped him in the infantry.
Over the years, John continued serving others in many ways. He became a lifelong blood donor, contributing more than 137 donations of blood, platelets, and plasma, a testament to his belief in helping others. He also served as the Senior Vice Commandant of the Marine Corps League of Stamford, where he helped raise more than $250,000 to support wounded veterans and send essential supplies to deployed Marines overseas. In recognition of his impact, he was awarded “Marine of the Year” for all of New England, and the governor of Connecticut designated “John Rubino Day” on November 18, 2009, for his exceptional volunteer work.
Still, even with this legacy, John had no idea that his greatest acts of service were still ahead.
His journey into living organ donation began in 2018 with a single Facebook post. Robyn Blosio, a Stamford resident and lifelong friend and dance teacher of Jessica Rabasco, shared an emotional message written by Jessica’s sister, Christina. The post described Jessica’s battle with stage five chronic kidney disease and her urgent need for a living donor. John did not know Jessica, but something in that message stopped him. He felt moved to step forward.
He volunteered for testing and went through months of evaluations. When he learned he was a match, he never wavered. John donated his left kidney to Jessica, giving her renewed health and a new future. Their families formed a lasting bond, and one of John’s greatest joys was watching Jessica walk down the aisle at her wedding. Today, he celebrates with her again as she and her husband prepare to welcome their first child.
Two years later, he learned of baby Ariany Perez, a 7-month-old from the Bronx with a life-threatening liver condition. John did not know the family, but he knew she would not survive without a living donor. Living liver donation involves removing a segment of the donor’s liver, in this case the left lateral segment, which is safe for infants. Both the donor’s and recipient’s livers regenerate and return to full size within months. After another intensive approval process, John donated, and Ariany’s recovery began immediately.
Fewer than 100 people worldwide have donated both a kidney and part of a liver. John hopes his story will encourage others to become living organ donors, especially knowing that more than 105,000 Americans are on the national transplant waiting list for a life-saving organ. He feels blessed and grateful to have changed the lives of two people and to inspire others to do the same.