Local kidney transplant survivor on a mission to educate others

Robert DeHart is a man on a mission and a message., early detection can save your life.

"The doctors have told me time and time again I'm a very lucky man to still be here."

The 58-year-old from Pocomoke is lucky, but he didn't have to be. He didn't have to tempt fate, but he didn't know that a simple doctor's visit could have saved him from very serious medical challenges.

"I became a diabetic at the age of 19 and I had diabetes for 20 years and I was doing three or four shots. My blood sugar was up and down, explains DeHart.

Unlike countless others, DeHart's battle with diabetes was one of the easiest. Not long after that discovery, his life would take an unexpected turn.

"I started waking up every morning throwing up and I couldn't understand why and my fatigueness was very bad."

At firs, he thought it was just a flare up from his diabetes, but after a few blood tests Robert found himself on a kidney transplant list.

"It was a very devastating thing because I knew I would not survive four more years."

Robert would only have to wait four months. His saving grace, his little sister Carol who would give her brother her kidney.

"On April 4, 1999 at 5 o'clock in the morning the phone rings they were like get to the University of Maryland ASAP," says DeHart.

After 12 hours on the surgical table, Robert pulled through but that wouldn't be his final hurdle. He would later lose his sight for five years, but just like his other battles Robert beat the odds and this time it was eye implants that led him out of the dark.

"Immediately after they took the patch off I saw light, I just cried."

Robert says he wouldn't change a thing. Still, he's determined to stop others from making the same mistakes.

"What I have learned is early detection had I possibly, when I started getting sick, had I gone to a doctor, got examined I might not have needed a transplant."

Since Robert's successful transplant, 19 years ago, he's been volunteering with the National Kidney Foundation doing whatever he can to bring awareness to kidney disease and how to catch it before its too late.

Part of that awareness is showing up and walking at Salisbury's Kidney Walk which is happening Sunday, May 6th.

The proceeds from the Walk go directly to helping those in our community struggling with kidney disease. To register go to the Kidney Walk's website.