My name is Robert Bryner. I am 69 years old, a husband, a father of four, a grandfather of three, and a great-grandfather of one. I have spent most of my life caring for the people around me and serving my community. Now, I am facing one of the biggest challenges of my life: I need both a liver and kidney transplant.
In November 2025, after being hospitalized three times over the holidays, I learned just how serious my health had become. I am diabetic, and after years of managing my health, I developed kidney and liver disease. My doctors determined that I now need a liver and kidney transplant to have the opportunity to regain my health and continue living the life I love.
I am currently being treated through UPMC Montefiore, where my transplant team is working toward getting me the care I need. We are also searching for living donors, as my doctors would prefer living donors if possible. We are looking for two potential living donors who may be willing to be evaluated by my transplant team.
Outside of my medical situation, I have always been a person who wants to help others. I have been involved with fire departments since I was 16 years old. The fire department has always been like a second home to me. Throughout the years, I have served with numerous departments and organizations, including DL&V Fire Department, Carlisle Station 41, Carlisle Fire Police, North Union Fire Department, Brownsville North Side and West Side, Mechanicsburg, South Middleton, Dawson, and Hopwood Ambulance.
For decades, I have been there for people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. I have helped families through house fires, emergencies, and the loss of their homes and loved ones. Helping people has always been a major part of who I am.
My health has now made it difficult for me to do many of the things that have always been important to me. I am restricted from participating in most fire calls because of my condition. The treatments I receive leave me extremely tired, and I no longer have the energy to keep up with my dog, Loki, the way I used to.
Even with everything I am going through, I try to remain the same person my family and friends know. I am overly caring and have always put other people before myself. I’m stubborn, I love to tease and joke around with my friends, and I try to keep a sense of humor through difficult times.
Some of my favorite moments are the simple ones at home. I love sitting in the living room with my wife and daughter, watching cop shows and firefighter shows, with Loki right there with us. I also love being Santa every year. Getting dressed as Santa and seeing the smiles on children’s faces is something I look forward to because bringing joy and holiday spirit to people means so much to me.
Our goal is to raise approximately $34,000 to help cover the costs associated with my transplant that insurance will not cover, as well as travel and other necessary expenses related to my treatment. The costs of traveling for appointments and treatment, along with the medical expenses surrounding a transplant, can become overwhelming. We are doing everything we can to make sure finances do not stand in the way of me receiving the care I need.
My biggest hope is to have the opportunity to live a long and happy life. I want to see my family continue to grow. I want to see more grandchildren, be there for the people I love as they enter new chapters of their lives, and continue helping others whenever I can.
My family wants nothing more than to have more time with me. We want me to be here to watch the family I started continue to grow and to experience the moments we haven’t reached yet. We want more holidays, more memories, more time together, and more opportunities to have me sitting in that living room with my family and Loki.
For most of my life, I have tried to be the person people could count on when they needed help. Today, I am asking my community to help me.
If you are able to donate, every contribution will help us get closer to our goal and help with the expenses surrounding my transplant and travel. Donations can be made using the QR code provided with this campaign or through the Cash App established specifically to help with my transportation and other travel-related expenses.
We will also be hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for anyone who would like to come out, support us, and help spread the word.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a living donor, please consider reaching out and sharing this campaign. Even if you cannot donate financially, sharing this story with your friends, family, coworkers, and community could help us reach someone who may be able to help.
After a lifetime of serving my community, I am hoping that my community will stand beside me now. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for sharing it, praying for me, donating if you are able, and helping me get one s
Family and friends of Robert Bryner are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a transplant. Robert has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.
