2016 Robert Rosser

Robert Rosser_National Kidney Foundation of FloridaROBERT ROSSER

Kidney Donor

Age 41 ~ Orlando, FL

Honored by Kidney.org/offices/nkf-florida

When Robert’s wife, Shannon, decided that she would donate her kidney to her brother, Robert was in full support. Shannon’s brother, Scott, suffered from IgA Nephropathy and was in end stage renal failure. Neither Shannon nor Robert expected that the preliminary tests for donation would turn up that Shannon had kidney disease.  With Shannon unable to go through with the surgery, Robert stepped up to donate his kidney for Scott. Robert went into surgery with a brave outlook saying, “see ya on the other side”, to his brother in law.  Recovery for Robert and Scott was easier as they had requested rooms next to each other, took their first steps together, and were released together.  Just two years post-transplant, both are as strong and healthy as ever.

Robert’s Story

My wife Shannon’s brother, Scott, was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy in 2009. In February, 2012 he was told that he was in end stage renal failure.  He was told that he would need a transplant.  In March, 2012 Shannon told him she would be his donor. We live in Orlando and he lives in Seattle.  She called Scott’s transplant center in March, 2012 and was connected with the Donor Advocate.  The results came back they were a perfect match.  In August, 2012 Shannon flew to Seattle for evaluation day.  She started the day meeting with a urologist.  At the end of the day she met with the nephrologist.  The nephrologist informed them their family carries the IgA gene. She was scheduled for a biopsy the next day. She came back to Orlando and waited. When we got the call, it was not good news, Shannon had kidney disease.  They were not going to recommend her for donation.  We broke this news to the family. I went into the living room and Shannon came out and sat down.  I told her I would do it. I immediately started the process. We flew to Seattle in late November, 2012 for evaluation.  We got through the day feeling positive.  We went back to Orlando and waited. We received the call on December 31, 2012 that I was approved to be Scott’s donor. We were ready to schedule the surgery. March 5, 2013. What a blur that day was.  We got there and checked in and they took us both back almost immediately.  When it was time for me to go into surgery, the nurses opened Scott’s curtain and I waved and said “see ya on the other side.”  They took Scott back an hour later.  I was wheeled down to see Scott and that was a moment unlike any other I have experienced.  When Scott was released from the ICU to the transplant recovery floor, we requested rooms next to each other.  We took out first steps together.  Recovery in the hospital was sometimes difficult but was overall better than expected. We were released together.  We spent 15 days in Seattle.  Leaving was so hard.  We are just over 2 years post-transplant and both strong and healthy.