In a July 2024 update, Robinson said he continued to face what many other Black Americans living with kidney failure struggle with—finding a donor within a difficult, complex healthcare system that often fails people of color.

“The Black people I know who go through this—[getting a kidney] is always harder for them,” Robinson says. “For some reason, they make it harder for us, bro. To get healthy, to get a kidney, to do anything. Our people go through tough times.” 

In an interview with Daily Mail’s sports vertical, he kept it brutally honest about what’s next for him if he doesn’t get a new kidney.

How His Life-Saving Kidney Transplant Came About

But now there is good news to report.

A man named Shane Cleveland,from Bremerton, Washington, who lives with his wife, Kara, and their four daughters, heard the call from this decorated basketball player and stepped in as a donor. In February 2025, Cleveland’s selfless act gave Robinson a new lease on life, bringing him back from the brink and putting him on the road to recovery.

Cleveland had been at a spring football game at the University of Washington with several of his kids when it was announced on the video board that Robinson was in need of a kidney, along with a QR code to provide information to help.

The Washington man jumped at the chance to help and had seen the impact that being a donor has with his wife, Kara, having donated previously, he explained in the video.

Cleveland didn’t actually meet Robinson until the day after the procedure, and Kara said that the ex-Knicks star had “the most gracious speech” for Cleveland’s daughters, who expressed concern about their father being a donor before the surgery.

“They walked in and he’s like, ‘your dad saved my life. I’ve always wanted to be a grandpa, and I didn’t grow up with a grandpa, you know what your dad did? He just gave me that gift. I get to be a grandpa someday. I’m going to be around to be a grandpa,’” Kara recalled.

Shane’s selfless act not only saved Nate’s life, but also forged a deep bond between them. Nate described the transplant as a rescue, underscoring the profound impact of Shane’s generosity and the lasting bond they now share. With renewed energy, Robinson is already looking ahead – to coaching, starting with his daughter’s basketball team, and getting back in shape. “I want to look better than my kids when I’m 40,” he said with a laugh, showing the same grit that made him a fan favorite.

Robinson and Cleveland were reunited as part of the Playmaker video that was published recently, which included an emotional moment where Cleveland surprises Robinson and his family while being interviewed.

Robinson shared a touching video detailing how Shane Cleveland’s kidney donation changed everything for him. A moving video captures the emotional moment when Nate hugs Shane and expresses his gratitude for the second chance at life.

“I got this guy right here to thank for [my kidney]. Some people don’t get to meet their guardian angels. I got a brother in mine,” Robinson said in the video regarding Cleveland. “Mine is my brother, man. He helped me a lot, big time. I was struggling and he came through in the clutch.”

Kidney Failure & African Americans

African Americans experience kidney failure at a rate three times higher than White Americans. This disparity is linked to higher rates of diabetes and hypertension, which are leading causes of kidney failure, along with other factors like genetics and socioeconomic influences.

Early Warning Signs of Kidney Problems:

Changes in Urination:
Noticeable changes in urination patterns, such as urinating more often, especially at night, or changes in urine color (like foamy or bloody urine), can be early indicators.

Swelling:
Swelling or puffiness in the legs, ankles, feet, hands, or face can occur as kidneys struggle to remove excess fluid and sodium from the body, according to Providence.

Persistent Fatigue:
Feeling unusually tired or weak, even after sufficient rest, can be a sign of waste buildup in the blood due to impaired kidney function.

High Blood Pressure:
Kidney disease can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate blood pressure, leading to persistently elevated levels.

Itchy Skin:
The build-up of waste products in the blood can cause skin irritation and itching.

Difficulty Concentrating:
Kidney disease can affect mental clarity and concentration.

A Lesson We Can All Learn from Robinson

Robinson was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2006 and had said in the past that he had managed the illness by checking into hospitals for dehydration and vomiting at first.

A “bad” case of COVID in 2020 led him to start dialysis treatment and in 2022, he acknowledged publicly that he had undergone treatment for renal kidney failure.

Robinson explained how his condition, diagnosed early in his NBA career, forced him to manage blood pressure closely just to stay on the court.

“When I was in the NBA, my kidneys weren’t failing yet, so I was still relatively healthy. I had to keep my blood pressure low so they would let me play. Before every game, I had to calm down for the tests so I could get cleared. It was a game before the game.”

But the fight was tough on Robinson.

“Dialysis is hard to explain. Your kidneys stop working, so the machine cleans your blood and puts it back in. You get stabbed with two needles three times a week for four hours each time. That was my life for four years.

The mental part was the hardest. There were times I wanted to give up, but I’ve never quit anything in my life. I had a support system—my mom, my grandma, friends. They sat with me during dialysis. Without them, I wouldn’t have made it.”

“God sent me an angel [referring to Cleveland],” Robinson said teary eyed. “His name is Shane Cleveland—he gave me a healthy kidney. They told me and it was the best gift I ever received. I cried like a baby for three or four days.

May 7, 2025 by Barry Anderson