Greetings! My name is Antrion Smith. I served 14 years in the U.S. Navy from 1999-2013 as an HM2 (FMF). I did two tours. 1 tour in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan in 2004 and in Ramadi, Iraq in 2007. After deployments, I was an instructor at FMTB-East in Camp Johnson, NC from 2008-2011. From there, I transferred to another instructor billet at the Special Operation Training Group command in Camp Lejeune, NC from 2012-2013. I received 2 Combat Action Ribbon, 2 Navy Achievement medals, Presidential Unit Citation and amongst other awards and medals. What I really enjoyed the most about the service was the brother and sisterhood. Military family community. Especially going on deployments. At times it was fun, especially on days when you are not getting shot at.
I currently work at the Fort Worth CBOC VA Clinic in Fort Worth, Texas as the Medical Administration Officer (Section Chief) for the Health Administration Service. I manage over 120 employees. The clinic that manages is the largest VA Outpatient clinic in the country where over 1 million veterans get seen a year. I love my job because I can connect with the veterans as they are receiving health care.
I am married. My wife and I have been married for 27 years. We have 3 kids. 2 boys and 1 girl. My oldest is 25 and is currently serving in the Air Force. He’s been in for 5 years. We are very proud of his accomplishments. He is currently stationed in Nevada. He is a Sensor Operator. My 2nd oldest is 17. He will be a Senior this year. He made All State in Journalism and received a High School National Award in Journalism in which he received the award in New York. He is also the JROTC Battalion Commander for his High School. My youngest daughter is 15 years old. She just made the high school cheer squad. She is in choir and theater. She too is in JROTC with her brother as a Captain. We are proud of our kids in everything they are accomplishing. Both of my teens are looking at serving. My son plans on attending Texas A&M in the JROTC program, and my daughter is planning on serving in Space Force with aspirations to join NASA.
I’ve been living with kidney disease since 2003 while serving. I suffered Rhabdo in Camp Lejeune, and that is when my kidneys began to have issues. I still managed to deploy in extremely hot conditions with bad kidneys. When I got sick in 2019, they did a biopsy on me and discovered that I had IGA Neuropathy. My nephrologist suggested and recommended that I will need a kidney transplant and to be on Dialysis. Before I was able to get on the list, I had to lose weight. I weighed 298 pounds at the time. I was able to get weight loss surgery in December 2023 and was able to lose 135 pounds. I am currently on home dialysis peritoneal. I am currently on the waiting list. My physical limitations are lifting over 20 pounds.
Faith and service are important parts of my life. I am a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield, Texas, where I sing in the Men’s Choir and enjoy serving alongside my church family. I am also a proud member of Prince Hall Freemasonry through Ecclesiastes Lodge No. 818 in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
My interest is cooking. I love cooking. I recently started cycling outside. Cycling is my stress reliever. I normally average 10 to 20 miles per week. I am very active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Getting a transplant would mean the world for me. I want to continue to support my family with aspirations in competing in cycling competitions. Would like to get back to traveling and visiting my brother in Germany. I pray that a donor will be gracious enough to donate a kidney. God Bless.
We need you to help us support Antrion. Whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, you can make a profound impact!
Living kidney donation has been proven to be safe. There are no long term consequences to the donor. After recovery, donors can live a normal life with one kidney.
DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery.
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611.