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Marcus's story

Marcus Roberts was an athlete for most of his life. Active throughout his school years, he joined the Air Force after high school and later became a Nevada police officer. But his years of service and active lifestyle were halted when his health began to fail.

Marcus’ medical team discovered that both his heart and kidney function were declining. “There was no root cause that they could identify. It was more of … a medical anomaly to a lot of the doctors. It wasn't hereditary, no virus, no disease, or anything like that,” Marcus says.

After five years of being sick, seeking answers, and enduring many, many hospital stays, Marcus received a heart and kidney transplant in 2022.

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"Before, I used to limit myself to a plan, a to-do list, and after getting my transplants, that goes out the window because now you're free—you're happy."
Marcus Roberts
Heart and kidney transplant recipient

Ava Kaufman, founder of Ava’s Heart and a friend of Marcus, met him shortly before his transplant.

 

At that time, “he was so thin, he could barely walk. He literally looked … 20 years older than he looks right now,” Ava recalls. “You know, I just gave him a hug and welcomed him and said, ‘You're going be shocked how you are two weeks from today.’”

 

Post-transplant, his health and strength are improving, and he is already starting to live a fuller life. Since being sick, he’s taken up painting as a form of expression and relaxation. He enjoys all kinds of painting, from watercolor to acrylic to oil.

 

“[Painting] gives me a different outlook on life because you simply forget everything you're doing,” Marcus says. “And even when I'm painting, I don't even think about what I'm painting. I just paint.”

Say "YES" to donation!

 

You can give the gift of life to help someone like Marcus. Learn more about organ donation or visit the National Donate Life Registry.

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