Organ donor, recipient connect at Art in the Park

Two days before the 2017 Art in the Park, an olive oil vendor found out his only kidney was shutting down.

As a multi-year vendor, Theo and Jen Rallis felt it was important to "put a smile on their faces" and do the festival anyway.

"We were just selling and enjoying the day and then one of our [customers] came by and asked how we were doing," said Jen, who tried to say everything was fine.

As a long-time customer, Sharon Uttaro, knew that wasn't the case.

"I told her what was going on and right there on the spot she made the generous decision to go get tested to see if she was a match for Theo," said Jen.

Turns out, Uttaro was an identical match what Theo said is one in a million.Less than a year later, in April 2018, both Theo and Uttaro underwent successful transplant surgery.

This year, Rallis Olive Oil is returning to Art in the Park and encouraging everyone to register as organ donors.

"You have this collection of all these people coming through there and showing their arts and crafts and stories are shared and things are made," said Theo. "This is an incredible story that changed our lives and now we're all connected."

Theo said Uttaro is a member of the family now, and that it's weird to go a weekend without seeing her.

"There are angels among us," said Theo.

The 41st Art in the Park takes place June 1 and June 2 at Willistead Park.