Man Donates Part Of Liver To Former College Roommate

More than 30 years ago, Richard Koonce and Steven Robinson forged a friendship at Norfolk State University, the historically black college in Virginia where they were roommates.

Though their lives took them in different directions after graduation, that bond would impact both of them in an unexpected way when they reconnected in 2022.

During a family trip to Detroit, Robinson decided to visit Koonce, who he had not seen since around 2002. When they saw each other again, Koonce was friendly and in good spirits but Robinson could tell something was wrong.

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“I think it was a spiritual thing,” he he told NBC News. “I always had love for the brother. And I could see something was wrong. I could see it in his eyes.”

Eventually, Koonce admitted it: He was struggling with primary sclerosing cholangitis, or PSC. PSC is a chronic disease that causes infections, tumors, and severe liver failure. While he had been managing it since 2019, he was worried that unless he found a liver donation soon, his quality of life could dramatically deteriorate.

A passionate college prep director and head girls’ basketball coach, Koonce was still working but could no longer stand for long periods.

Photo: Piqsels

When he heard this news, Robinson immediately stepped up. He offered to give part of his liver to Koonce if they were a match. Koonce was stunned at the sudden show of generosity from a friend who he hadn’t seen in more than two decades but agreed. After talking it over with his family and getting tested, Robinson was declared a perfect match.

“I didn’t know that the liver could grow back, regenerate,” Steven’s wife Natalie Robinson told NBC. “So, for me, after learning that, there was no question. ‘You have to do this’ because if he didn’t and something happened to Richard, Steven would be devastated. To see this happen, especially with those two because they have such history, is special. Stephen is very happy that he can help. And so is our family.”

Photo: PXHERE

After undergoing the partial liver transplant on Valentine’s Day, both men are recovering and in good health at home. “When I think about it, it’s a hell of a thing to do,” Koonce told NBC. “But if the situation were reversed, I’d be like, ‘Is this what it takes for you to live longer? Man, let me check to see if I’m a good match.’ I really would. I would do the same thing for him.”

Koonce is currently awaiting a second liver transplant after developing complications with the first. Still, his family and friends are hopeful that a new donor will be quick to come up and things will go off without a hitch.