My name is William Anthony Robinson, and I proudly served in the United States Army for 24 years before retiring as a Sergeant First Class (SFC). I enlisted in February 1980 at the age of 17 as a member of the Signal Corps. After completing basic training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, I was assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington, followed by Darmstadt, Germany. Later in my career, I reclassified to the Infantry, where I continued serving until my retirement in April 2004.
Throughout my military career, I completed three tours in Germany and deployed during Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990 with Company C, 1/327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), serving as an Infantry Squad Leader. I later served in Pennsylvania as an active-duty National Guard member with A Company, 1/111th Infantry Regiment in Philadelphia as a Platoon Sergeant.
In addition to my military duties, I worked full-time with the Pennsylvania National Guard Counterdrug Program, where I became the program’s first state coordinator. During the final four years of my military service, I supported civilian operations with the Postal Inspection Service’s Prohibited Mail and Narcotics Team in Philadelphia.
During my last overseas assignment in Hohenfels, Germany, I developed a strong interest in computers and taught myself how to build them. After retiring from the Army in 2004, I attended Lincoln Technical Institute and earned an associate degree in Network Administration, which led to a position in the Information Technology department at Thomas Jefferson University.
Shortly after earning my degree, in late 2005, I was hospitalized with kidney failure caused by a severe reaction to antibiotics. Since that time, I have remained under the care of the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.
Today, I serve as the youth pastor at my church, and I plan to continue serving others for as long as I am able. Over the past 21 years, I have faced the many challenges that come with kidney disease. I have been on the transplant list for approximately five years and four months. Thankfully, I have not yet needed dialysis, but over the past several months I have begun noticing changes in my health that remind me that time is becoming increasingly important.
I am asking others to prayerfully consider becoming a kidney donor for me. I am a husband, father, and grandfather, and I hope to continue being present for the important milestones in my family’s lives—to see my grandchildren graduate, get married, and build lives of their own.
A kidney from a living donor offers a significantly greater chance for long-term success and a better quality of life. The gift of organ donation is truly the gift of life, and I humbly ask anyone considering donation to keep me in their thoughts and prayers.
We need you to help us support William. 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.