Nate Robinson’s Kidney Battle: A Story of Struggle and Hope
On April 11th, 2024, actor Reginald Ballard read about former NBA guard Nate Robinson, who disclosed he was battling kidney failure. Days of confusion followed as it surfaced that Robinson, despite undergoing dialysis for three years, wasn’t on any transplant waiting list. Ballard related deeply, having navigated his own kidney transplant in 2021 through the National Kidney Registry. He swiftly connected Robinson with Tiffany Jones-Smith from the Texas Kidney Foundation, aiming to guide him through an increasingly complicated healthcare system.
Robinson’s health issues began back in his rookie year with the New York Knicks in 2005 when elevated blood pressure indicated potential kidney problems. His condition worsened drastically in the summer of 2021. Sidelined by the need for regular dialysis, Robinson struggled with depression and a sense of paralysis. Encouraged by friends like Jamal Crawford and Tank Johnson, Robinson finally went public about his health in the fall of 2022, but initially refrained from directly asking for a donor.
This spring marked a turning point as public pleas led to overwhelming support. Though Robinson isn’t yet on a donor list due to medical hurdles, he remains focused on staying healthy for potential transplant approval. With increased public awareness and support from healthcare advocates, Robinson is hopeful about the future. He now aims to raise awareness for others facing similar kidney issues.
