Jackson Mohr.Photo: courtesy Erica Mohr
When Ricky Rodriguez learned that his friend Bianca Mohr’s older brother, Jackson, 13, had died from sudden cardiac death on April 22, 2021, he was determined to lift the spirits of his pal and make a difference in his community.
Rodriguez followed up the petition with a heartfelt, handwritten letter to San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
Ricky writing to the mayor of San Antonio.courtesy Erin Rodriguez
“When he gets an idea, he’s very big on seeing it through,” says Erin, adding that Ricky has high-functioningautism.
“It makes me feel good,” says Ricky. “It’s basically going to be a day for kindness, and sudden cardiac death awareness.”
For the family of Jackson Mohr, Ricky’s endeavor has been uplifting. “I think it’s amazing, it’s remarkable what Ricky’s done,” says Jackson’s mother, Erika Mohr, 48.
Jackson Mohr, left, and his sister Bianca.courtesy Erica Mohr
Jackson was a seventh grader at TMI Episcopal who loved baseball and was “just a happy little quiet kid that had the biggest heart,” says his mom.
Jackson Mohr, right, with his family.courtesy of Erica Mohr
For the last year, Erica and Timothy Mohr have been volunteering with thenonprofit AugustHeartto bring free heart screenings to San Antonio-area teenagers to detect issues including the one that Jackson had — Long QT Syndrome — that can lead tosudden cardiac death.
As part of Friday’s Jackson Mohr Day celebration at Jackson’s school, his former classmates will be focusing on doing 22 kind things for others. At night at a local park, heart screenings will be offered.
Ricky, of course, plans to attend. “It makes me feel glad,” he says, “that people will know more about sudden cardiac death.”
Ricky Rodriguez and Pat Griffith.courtesy of Erin Rodriguez
This isn’t isn’t the first time Ricky has helped others. A competitive Scrabble player who has competed all over the country and in Malaysia, he befriended assisted living resident and Scrabble lover Pat Griffith.
Ricky played weekly with the 86-year-old until her death in 2020. InGriffith’s obituary, her family thanked Ricky for “the competition-level Scrabble games.”
His generous use of his time, says Jackson’s mom, Erica, is typical of Ricky’s altruistic nature. “Ricky wasn’t [creating Jackson Mohr Day] for himself or for us, he was doing it for the kids,” she says. “He was doing it for the community, to do good.”
source: people.com
