Nate Robinson is urgently searching for a kidney donor.
The 40-year-old former NBA player, diagnosed with kidney disease in 2006, revealed to Men's Health in an interview published on June 18 that his kidneys have been functioning at less than 15% capacity since failing in 2018. Without a match, he fears he won't survive much longer.
Robinson described his daily struggles, including "charley-horse-like cramps all over his body after losing too much fluid" and "violent vomiting and shortness of breath when there's an excess."
While he aims to get on both the Washington state and national kidney transplant waitlists soon, the prospect of finding a match is daunting for him. "We both have to undergo surgery, and many people don’t make it. The thought of someone dying for me to receive a kidney is very painful. In my dreams, family members give me a kidney, but they all end up passing away. That really messes with me," he shared.
Robinson's motivation extends beyond his training sessions at the gym to his children. "I gotta stick around. I want to live another 40 years: be a grandpa, see my kids’ kids, take them to the gym, and share stories of my NBA days with ’Bron and Kobe. I have to fight for it," he said.
He reflected on how his outlook changed after delaying treatment for two years when his kidney failed. He ended up in the hospital for a week with a severe case of COVID-19. Doctors warned him that his kidneys were "working too hard" and "deteriorating," leading to an immediate start on dialysis and a push from his girlfriend, Sheena Felitz.
"I didn’t want to burden my family with my struggles. Sheena gave me a kick in the ass, reminding me that they were there to love and support me, but I couldn’t be harsh on myself or them," Robinson recalled. "It wasn't until they pointed it out that I realized my behavior needed to change. Sometimes you need that wake-up call to see where you're going wrong."
The Quran - Chapter Al-Waqi'ah : 28
˹They will be˺ amid thornless lote trees,
