2017 Tina Rueles

TINA RUELES

Lung Recipient

Age 50 ~ Euless, Texas

Optician

Honored by Southwest Transplant Alliance at organ.org

Tina Rueles is an adventurous spirit from Euless, Texas. In 2010, Tina went to the emergency room with a lung infection and needed a new set of lungs. Without them, she only had about two years to live. On Feb. 27., 2013, Tina found hope. Donor lungs were discovered that matched. In a cruel twist of fate, Tina experienced the other side of transplantation when a relative suffered a tragic, fatal accident while on a family vacation in Puerto Rico. Through their tears, Tina and her family realized her niece was registered as a donor. Tina is now healthy and very active. Tina also won two silver and a bronze medal in the 2016 Transplant Games. This optician has one focus in life: not to waste a single breath.

Tina’s Story

Tina Rueles is an optician and adventurous spirit from Euless, Texas. She plays darts in a local league and loves finding eyewear that helps people look and see their best. Tina spent 20 years crafting custom eyeglasses, but without a mask or proper ventilation, work took a toll on her lungs.

In 2010, Tina went to the emergency room with a lung infection the doctors initially thought would be simple to treat with antibiotics. She soon learned that she needed a new set of lungs. If she didn’t get them, she only had about two years to live.

Tina was placed on the waiting list in May 2012. For 10 months, it was hit and miss. She had to be removed from the list twice due to infections. By the third time she was placed on the waiting list, it seemed hopeless. Then, on Feb. 27, 2013, Tina found hope. Donor lungs were discovered that matched her – and she was healthy enough for the surgery.

In a cruel twist of fate, Tina experienced the other side of transplantation when a relative suffered a tragic, fatal accident while on a family vacation in Puerto Rico. Through their tears, Tina and her family realized her niece was registered as a donor.

Now healthy and very active; her friends call her “Wonderlung.” Tina considers her new lungs an amazing gift and honors her donor by sharing her story and that of her niece. Tina volunteers at every opportunity with Southwest Transplant Alliance. She’s the reason darts is now an event in the Donate Life Transplant Games of America, where she won two silver medals and a gold in 2014. Tina also won two silver and a bronze medal in the 2016 games.

Tina says “Now that I’ve had a transplant I want to shout to the world what a difference it can make. I’m ready to make my donor and their family proud. I want to show the world what donation can do!”

Ultimately, this optician now has one focus in life: Not to waste a single breath.