SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, USA: In a heart-wrenching plea for help, Robert Bukey, a former postal worker, and his family are reaching out to the San Antonio community for assistance. Robert, diagnosed with stage four kidney disease, faces a daily battle tethered to a dialysis machine after his body rejected a kidney donated by his wife, Alexandra, in 2015. The anticipation of a normal life expectancy of 15 to 20 years from the transplanted kidney was tragically cut short, driving the Bukey family to raise awareness and support for kidney donations.
Despite the heavy burden of his condition, Robert dreams of a brighter future. Among his simple hopes are traveling to watch his beloved Spurs and witnessing his daughter’s life milestones. Although his dreams provide solace, each day presents its challenges, with Robert’s condition contributing to mental strain and feelings of claustrophobia. Nightly, he remains confined in proximity to his dialysis machine, a stark reminder of the constraints kidney disease imposes.
As his primary caregiver, Alexandra remains by Robert’s side, leading advocacy initiatives aimed at bringing kidney disease to the forefront of public consciousness. Their efforts, ranging from distributing informational flyers in their neighborhood to sharing their journey on social media, highlight the critical need for organ donation and community support. Through her experiences, Alexandra has encountered individuals who share similar stories of loss, emphasizing the urgency of finding a new donor for Robert.
The Bukey family calls on the people of San Antonio to consider becoming kidney donors. With Robert requiring a type O donor, the community’s involvement could provide the lifesaving intervention he needs. For those in San Antonio and beyond, supporting Robert’s quest for a kidney transplant represents a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.
