Father, son celebrate 10-year anniversary of the ultimate gift

branden_bobby_robinson

Decision to donate kidney a ‘no-brainer’ for Auburn Hills resident

As father, son and even fraternity brothers, Bobby and Branden Robinson always shared a strong bond. Branden Robinson donated one of his kidneys to his father, Bobby, 10 years ago.

Ten years ago, that bond became even stronger when Branden donated one of his kidneys to help his father.

“It was no-brainer. This was the man who not only gave me life, but helped provide me with life — as far as my morals and upbringing,” said Branden, 42, of Auburn Hills. “If the shoe was on the other foot, he would’ve done it for me.”

Bobby Robinson had issues with his kidneys due to complications of diabetes and high blood pressure. Those issues became even more pronounced in November 2009, when he was diagnosed with renal failure and placed on dialysis. Branden and his mother, Bunice, volunteered to get tested to see if they would be a good match. Fortunately, both were.

Although his mother was willing – she and Bobby are true soulmates; they met in college and have been married more than 50 years – Branden said he insisted he be the donor. He was younger and would have a shorter recovery time.

“It was something I wanted to do,” he said. “I didn’t want my mother to do it.”

At first, Bobby wasn’t sure.

“He was young; he hadn’t gotten married or anything – I didn’t want to do anything that would weaken him,” said Bobby, 75, a retired teacher who now lives in Atlanta. “But he wanted to do it.”

The transplant was performed on June 30, 2010. Branden said even the day before, he didn’t have any second thoughts or apprehension about donating the organ.

“I wasn’t scared. I was not really even nervous,” he said. “I always likened it to a woman who is giving birth for the very first time. She knows it’s going to hurt, she doesn’t have anything in her life to compare it to, however she knows he has to do it to bring forth life. That’s how I felt about the transplant. I knew it was going to hurt. I knew I didn’t have anything to compare it to, but I knew I had to do this to help improve the quality of life for my father.”

His father said he felt better right away. It took him a few weeks to recover but even now, 10 years later, he said his life hasn’t changed that much. He’s still able to do what he was able to do prior to the transplant. His father, although still diabetic, manages the condition and is thankful every day for his healthy kidney.

“I feel great,” he said. “Everything is working okay.”

Branden said he realizes how fortunate his father was to only require dialysis for six months. Many people, particularly minorities, wait years to find a donor. In Michigan, African Americans make up 14 percent of the population, but 34 percent of the patients on the waiting list. About 40 percent of the 2,200 people waiting for a new kidney are African American.

Branden has since volunteered at and taken part in events to promote awareness of the need for registered organ donors and encourage people to register, to educate the community about the issue and to share his story.

“Sadly, there are so many people who are waiting for organs and tissues and there are certainly not enough people who have signed up to be donors,” he said. “I’m hoping maybe in some way, shape or form in the past 10 years that I’ve helped alleviate some of those numbers and improve outcomes. It’s certainly sad to see the length of time that someone may potentially have to wait for an organ or some tissues.

“It’s something that all Americans of all stripes are still challenged with,” he added. “The more that people know about it the more it may change some minds and outcomes.”

Read More Posts

Kendall Todd received a heart transplant shortly after being added to the national waiting list.

“We are so grateful for them. They didn’t have to donate. They chose to.” 

When Cewanda Todd was 19-weeks pregnant, she was told her unborn daughter had a heart…

Read More
15th annual Kountz Callender Drew Transplant Symposium

Detroit MOTTEP and Gift of Life Michigan host 15th annual Kountz Callender Drew Transplant Symposium, March 19

Event focuses on reflective voices, riveting results and revolutionary future in transplantation The Detroit MOTTEP…

Read More
Dr. Alfred Bolden and Rev. Dr. Remonia Chapman

30 Years of Detroit MOTTEP – The beginning of building community, hope and trust

Dr. Alfred Bolden’s involvement with organ, eye and tissue donation started over thirty years ago…

Read More
This year, saving lives is on your tax form.

Michigan residents can save lives when filing taxes

Tax forms provide opportunity to join Michigan Organ Donor Registry  Six million Michiganders file tax…

Read More
Jessica Bailey with her father, Deacon Lawrence Bailey, at a Detroit Lions game.

Kidney recipient and passionate advocate becomes tissue donor

Deacon Lawrence J. Bailey was a kidney transplant recipient, husband, father and a fervent advocate…

Read More
Dr. LokMan Sung

New members join Gift of Life Michigan Governing and Advisory Boards

Gift of Life Michigan is proud to announce new board members who will bring fresh…

Read More
Scroll to Top