SAN ANTONIO – Comedian Cleto Rodriguez has spent nearly 30 years making audiences laugh.

But the comedian says something felt wrong during a recent performance.

“I was on stage performing and I got lightheaded. I was doing a mic soundcheck and got dizzy and was lightheaded. And I was trying to perform, but I couldn’t stand up,” Rodriguez said.

He says he pushed through one show in a way he had never done before.

“It was the first time ever in 30 years of my stand-up career that I’ve done it sitting down,” he said.

A few days later, Rodriguez went to the emergency room and received devastating news: his kidney disease had progressed to stage five.

“And I was at 10% kidney function,” he said.

Then came another shock. Doctors discovered two major blockages in his heart.

“And sure enough, yeah, it showed that I had two blockages in my arteries. And one was 95% and the other was 92,” Rodriguez said.

Before doctors could place stents in his heart, Rodriguez says he had to undergo emergency dialysis.

“You’re talking about one minute getting the news, you got stage five kidney disease. And then next thing you know, you need surgery for your heart. My life is taking a complete change overnight,” he said.

Rodriguez believes much of the damage may be linked to his battle with COVID several years ago, when he nearly died after getting the virus during comedian Gabriel Iglesias’ San Antonio tour.

“They called me a walking miracle when I walked out of there,” he said.

For many in San Antonio, Rodriguez is more than just a comedian. He is also a familiar face from his longtime “Where’s Cleto?” segments on WOAI and KABB, where viewers came to know his humor and connection to the community.

Now, he is facing another fight.

Rodriguez says he needs a kidney transplant and is undergoing dialysis several times a week while waiting for the right donor match.

“I think the next thing right now is finding the right match, you know, through blood tissue and through a transplant plant and arteries and everything. Everything has to be right on point for it to happen,” he said.

Despite everything he is going through, Rodriguez says he has not lost his sense of humor or his faith in people.

“I mean, my heart, I mean, I know where their heart is and it makes me feel so good that they’re willing and there’s, believe it or not, you know, there’s a lot of people willing out there, but it just has to meet the requirements and that’s where we’re right now praying for that perfect match, if you will,” he said.

Rodriguez says dialysis, diet changes, and the emotional toll have changed nearly every part of his life.

“But for some reason, this is the, I’ve always dealt with these situations through comedy. This time, it’s different because it’s not a laughing matter and it’s nothing to joke about,” he said.

Still, he says support from family, friends, and even strangers has helped him keep going.

“I have a good, I have a loving family, awesome friends and a great support system behind me. So I mean, I feel truly blessed right now,” Rodriguez said.

Through it all, he says faith is what carries him forward.

“God’s got more for me to do. More people to make laugh, more people to reach out to and be an example for,” he said.

Rodriguez hopes his story encourages more people to learn about organ donation and help others who are waiting for a transplant.

“And I guess the message here is definitely if you can reach out and you want to help somebody, there’s so many people on these lists that are just waiting,” he said.

For more information on how to become a living donor or get tested, click here.