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District 29 (Cidra and Cayey) Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizarry on Tuesday joined the call to generate blood donors for former professional basketball player José “Piculín” Ortiz Rijos.
“Cayey, and all of Puerto Rico, are attentive to his health progress,” Hau said of Ortiz, who is being treated for cancer. “Along with prayers and good wishes, we want to respond to the call for volunteers to donate blood.”
The legislator pointed out that for Cayey citizens who need transportation to go to the nearest blood donation center, she has coordinated with the municipality to provide them with transportation. Those interested can call the Cayey Mayor’s Office during business hours at 787-738-3211 to coordinate the service. People who can come and contribute on their own must contact the Servicios Mutuos Blood Bank directly at 787-751-6115, Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ortiz, a former Puerto Rican national team star who grew up in Cayey, underwent surgery as part of his treatment for colorectal cancer, with which he was diagnosed in 2023. He was discharged from the hospital last Friday. The legislator noted that it is very important to indicate that the donation is for José Rafael Ortiz Rijos.
On Monday afternoon, Ortiz’s wife, Sylvia Ríos, expressed gratitude for the messages of support and prayers at this time.
Cayey Mayor Rolando Ortiz Velázquez announced last September that the largest building in the city, called Plaza Empresarial Municipal, at the entrance to the city center, will be named after Ortiz Rijos, who played for the Utah Jazz of the NBA for two seasons (1988-90).
“For us it is a joy and we are very pleased that we can honor the career of this great Cayeyan who has generated so many glories in sport,” the mayor said in a written statement. “We trust in his speedy recovery. Picu is a strong man, a lifelong athlete, and we are with him and his family.”
