Helping Lives Bloom First Annual Gala/Family Testimonials

The Rodrigo Family

Arlo and Vinita Rodrigo immigrated from Cuba to the United States with the six-month-old daughter Novia to chase their American Dream for their family. Arlo worked full time in construction while studying for his master’s degree in Civil Engineering and Architecture. Vinita was working at a high school as a Spanish teacher. When Novia was just two years old, she was diagnosed with childhood non Hodgkin’s lymphoma and was not expected to survive beyond a year.

Novia is now sixteen years old, and a senior at Tampa Preparatory School in Florida. She has her sights set on studying international politics and law at an ivy league college. You’ll be able to meet the Rodrigo family and hear their story at the Helping Lives Bloom annual gala event.