Hello, I would like to introduce myself. I am United States Army Captain Robert E Barnes. The son of Retired United States Army Veteran 1st Sgt. Roy E Barnes and Bette A Barnes. As a little boy I always wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps. So, in 1979, at age 17, I joined the Army National Guard to start my military training.
After high school graduation I became a cadet through the ROTC Program at Norwich University in Vermont, studying business administration management, graduating in 1985. Immediately following graduation, I enlisted in the United States Army and was appointed 2nd Lieutenant as an infantry officer stationed at Ft. Benning, GA.
From there I was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA (9th infantry division) and served as Platoon Leader. Our division was called in to fight the large forest fire in Yellowstone National Park in 1988. After 3 1/2 years of active-duty, I transferred back to the Army National Guard and was promoted to Captain. I retired from service in 1996 due to my diagnosis of Renal Cell Carcinoma.
Before marriage in 1994, I held several jobs within the banking field as a loan officer and mortgage officer, eventually settling with a career as a contract manager with the New York State Comptroller’s office where I managed nearly a billion-dollar contract overhauling the NYS Retirement System. I retired in October 2022.
In 1994, I married my wife of 30+ years, Carlita. We have three sons, Michael, Riley Evan, and Connor Joseph. Michael is married to his wife Cassie, and they have four children. Aldous, Jona, Arya, and Robert James. My wife likes to have family dinner on Sundays when everyone comes over for the day. We recently installed a swimming pool for everyone to enjoy, including our dog, Frankie!
In 1996, shortly after the birth of our son Riley, my wife encouraged me to have a physical done after we were not approved for Life Insurance. I did not pass the standard urinalysis test, because I had high protein readings which surprised me.
After a physical examination, my doctor immediately ordered a CT scan and bloodwork, and within a day our lives changed. I was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer and was told that they needed to perform a nephrectomy removing my right kidney. I was told the cancer was contained and the chances of a recurrence were slim. I would be able to live a normal life, which I did.
After working for many years with NYS, my wife convinced me it was time to retire so we could enjoy life a bit more. So, we sold our home in New York and moved to Florida to be closer to my aging parents. It wasn’t until June 2024 after a follow-up CT scan that a “mass” appeared on my left and only kidney. I have always followed up with my doctor appointments through the years, but my CT scan was canceled in 2020 due to COVID.
So, after several tests it was determined that I needed surgery. The plan was to do a partial nephrectomy and save what they could. Unfortunately, there were complications, and I needed eleven bags of blood and almost didn’t make it. But here I am today, no kidneys and doing dialysis at home 5x a week since August 2024. Doing dialysis at home has given me some of my hobbies back.
I am an avid Bagpiper; I love playing bagpipes and I have been playing since age thirteen. It helps to relieve my anxiety and stress. I also give lessons and currently have four students. Other hobbies that I have but am unable to do at this point are traveling, biking, golfing and pickleball. Once I receive a new kidney, I would like to travel more and have the freedom to do the things I love, including being able to pee!
Receiving a kidney transplant and being off dialysis will free up at least 15+ hours a week for me to be able to do some things I have missed and to be able to take my family on vacations and live a happier life.
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 Bob’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