Life has thrown plenty of challenges at former NBA star Nate Robinson, but none quite as daunting as his battle with kidney failure.
After two years of fighting the life-threatening illness, the 40-year-old is finally set to receive a new kidney—a moment he’s been waiting for with hope and faith.
The Battle with Kidney Failure
Robinson, known for his explosive plays with teams like the Knicks, Bulls, and Nuggets, first revealed his health struggles back in October 2022.
Diagnosed with renal kidney failure, he quickly learned that his survival depended on finding a compatible donor.
Without the assistance of a dialysis machine—a device that helps filter waste and excess fluids from the body—Robinson admitted he wouldn’t last more than a couple of weeks.
The demanding treatment required him to spend four hours, three times a week, hooked up to the machine just to keep his body functioning.
The Long-Awaited Transplant
After months of uncertainty and painful treatments, Robinson finally received the news he had been hoping for—a new kidney was available.
His life-changing surgery is scheduled for Friday, February 7, 2025.
Excited and grateful, he took to Instagram to share his emotions with fans.
Posting a photo along with the caption, “2/7/25 Friday LFG” and a watery-eyed emoji, he made it clear just how much this moment means to him.
In his heartfelt message, Robinson wrote:
“I’m here to celebrate and thank the LORD for all he has done in my life.
Today is the day I get my new kidney, thank you to all the people that sent prayers and texted my phone giving me encouragement & love!!! Ur a foo if you don’t believe in GOD and the miracles he performs!! Amen.”
A Grueling Journey with Dialysis
During an interview in April 2024, Robinson opened up about the painful reality of living with kidney failure.
The former point guard revealed that dialysis often left him vomiting and in the hospital for days at a time.
While some patients’ bodies reject the treatment, Robinson was grateful his body accepted it, allowing him to keep going.
“If I didn’t go to dialysis, I wouldn’t live probably longer than a week or two,” he explained.
“It’s serious—can’t miss a day. I go in for four hours, three days a week, and they clean my blood to get the toxins out. That’s how I’m living.”
Despite the physical toll, he remained determined to enjoy the moments when he felt well.
Spending time with his children, playing basketball, and staying active were his ways of holding on to normalcy.
“The dialysis machine has been helping my longevity and my life right now.
So I’m just enjoying the times where I do feel healthy,” he added.
A Career to Remember
Before his health struggles, Robinson was a force on the court.
Over his 13-year NBA career, he scored 6,807 points and made history as the only player to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest three times.
After leaving the New Orleans Pelicans in 2015, he explored opportunities overseas, playing in Israel, Venezuela, Lebanon, and the NBA’s G-League.
He even dabbled in boxing, though his short-lived stint included a high-profile knockout loss to Jake Paul in 2020.
Looking Ahead
Now, as he prepares for this life-saving transplant, Robinson is filled with gratitude and hope for the future.
While his next chapter remains unwritten, one thing is clear—he’s ready to fight, just as he always has.
As he embarks on this new journey, fans and loved ones continue to rally behind him, eager to see what’s next for the resilient athlete.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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