My name is Bruce Thomas Wood, and I am one of 12 children—there are 7 boys and 5 girls. I have a twin brother named Douglas, so growing up was sometimes chaotic in our household. I made the decision at the age of 18 to enlist in the United States Army on October 7, 1967. I was stationed at Fort Knox School of Armor, prior to being deployed to Vietnam in June 1968.
I was advanced to Staff Sergeant in 1969 at the age of 20. We were in a headquarters recon until I was put in charge of about 20 men; we were known as “the rat patrol” when the 1st infantry division left the country. I was transferred to the 11th ACR until my discharge in May 1970. My twin brother was drafted into the USMC in 1968. He also served in Vietnam, and we were reunited in September 1969 for our 21st birthdays.
After I was discharged from the Army, I worked in Industrial Piping and fabrication for eight years then became employed by the Providence Gas Company which supplied gas to the state of Rhode Island, and I was employed there for 20 years as a maintenance supervisor. In the year 2000 the VA, put me into permanent disability.
On November 13, 1971, I married my wife, Winifred. We were happily married for 34 years; we had 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl, until her unfortunate demise in 2005 when she passed away unexpectedly.
After that I felt such a loss and really did not take care of myself. I had type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, which eventually caused me to have End Stage Kidney Disease. I have also had 2 knee replacements, 2 shoulder replacements, and 2 hip replacements.
I now have found a reason to live—after 19 years of being alone, I was able to be reunited with my high school sweetheart. She has made such a great difference in my life. I now have a reason, other than my children and grandchildren, to go on living.
We are hoping that I will be able to receive a living kidney. We were recently married on August 25, 2025. Our belief is that the Lord brought us back together. Our hope is that with a new kidney we will be able to have many more years together.
For medically cleared donors, giving the gift of life through living kidney donation has been proven to be very safe. 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. A healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney and save Bruce‘s life with the other!
Your support, whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, can make a profound impact on his life and the life of his family!
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611