FORMER NBA star Nate Robinson has opened up about his struggles as he continues to search for a kidney donor.
The 40-year-old revealed in October 2022 that he was suffering from renal kidney failure.
5
5
Now Robinson’s kidneys are functioning at less than 15% of their optimal capacity.
The three-time NBA Slam Dunk champion candidly admits he could die if he does not get a new kidney soon.
The former New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls star told Men’s Health he is hoping to receive a kidney from “family, friends, or a cool-a** fan.”
Robinson was officially diagnosed with kidney disease in 2006 after passing out from dehydration and incessant vomiting.
Read more on Nate Robinson
And he refused to believe warnings from his doctors that his kidneys would likely fail in his thirties.
“I felt like I was Superman. I never thought I would get sick,” he told the publication.
Robinson delayed treatment after his kidneys failed in 2018 and a bad case of Covid then made the situation worse.
“When I got back home to Seattle, I went straight to the hospital,” he said.
“It was bad, bro. I was in the hospital for a week. My body, my insides just… stopped working and s**t.”
Robinson was told he needed to start dialysis.
But he struggled with his diagnosis early on, isolating himself from his friends and family.
“I was so angry in the beginning. I was so mean,” he says.
“I didn’t want to bring that darkness to [my family].
“I had a kick in the a** from my lady. She told me they were here to love me, they understood what I was going through, but you can’t be mean to yourself, and you can’t be mean to us.
“And I didn’t notice it until they called me out on it. Sometimes you need that; you need to know when you’re f**kin’ up.
“I was acting a certain way where I couldn’t see it.”
Robinson is hoping to get on the Washington state state kidney-transplant waitlist soon.
But his chances of receiving a kidney – and his body accepting it – are unknown.
I’m gonna be a testimony to somebody. My story doesn’t end here.
Nate Robinson
It does not help that donor rates among the Black population is extremely low.
“The Black people I know that go through this getting a kidney] is always harder for them,” Robinson says.
“For some reason, they make it harder for us, bro. To get healthy, to get a kidney, to do anything.
“Our people go through tough times.”
Robinson has learned to become positive again, especially after seeing his father get a new kidney.
“I learned that I had to count my blessings,” he says. “There are people here with diabetes.
“They’re blind or have p**s bags, or something is wrong with their insides.
5
5
“And for the most part, I’m healthy. So count your blessings.
“Humble yourself. My [family] kept telling me that I couldn’t stop living.”
Robinson goes to the gym most days, keeps a strict diet and helps his children with their sports practice
And he refuses to give up on himself.
“That’s one thing I respect about myself. I’ve never been a quitter,” he says.
“I’m gonna be a testimony to somebody. My story doesn’t end here.”