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SANDUSKY, Ohio — Feb. 14 is not only Valentine’s Day, but also National Donor Day, and life-saving surgeries are happening at the Cleveland Clinic.

Cleveland Clinic said organ transplants are up 18% from last year. In 2021, the clinic performed 1,039 transplants, including heart, kidney, liver, intestine and lung transplants.

One long-time friend is donating part of his liver to his college roommate. It’s a story of love on many levels.

“We would always go back and forth, you know, jab at each other. It was all love,” said Richard Koonce.

“Always,” replied Steven Robinson. “Always love.”

It’s a life-long brotherhood that began at Norfolk State University.

“The best decision of my life,” said Robinson.

“Yeah,” replied Koonce. “Mine too.”

The bond dates back decades and helped form their own love stories.

“I met my wife one day and we’ve been together ever since. That was 30 years ago,” said Robinson. “That was the day Richard introduced me to her.”

And now, a life-saving donation on Valentine’s Day.

“I’ll take the battle scar. Give me that L shaped [scar],” said Koonce.

“I was thinking that, too,” said Robinson. “Well, this is a proud wound. You know what I mean. It’s a love mark.”

Prior to June 2021, it had been more than 20 years since they saw each other. Despite the physical distance and time apart, the friendship remained strong as ever.

“Picked up right where we left off,” said Robinson. “Same silliness.”

But right away during that visit with their families, Robinson could tell something was wrong.

Koonce revealed that for the last two years he’d been battling a chronic liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis or PSC.

The disease damages the bile ducts and he was in need of a new liver.

“You know, initially, I was like, deceased donor,” said Koonce. “How do you ask someone to be your donor?”

But Robinson knew he had to help. Recently, he lost a friend and his father passed away. 

“My mind, everything just went ‘not another friend. Not another person I love,'” he said. “No.”

After learning Robinson was a match with the same type-O blood, it was a done deal that he would be the donor. 

“Not to be a hero or anything,” said Robinson. “Just, it needs to get done. We’re going to do it.”

While getting ready for the surgery, these two enjoyed reflecting on the good ol’ days.

“He carried himself like he was straight from New York City. And I was like, man you’re not from New York City,” said Koonce.

“I actually am,” responded Robinson.

“More like Scrub City. And he would call me, I’m from the Midwest. Right here in Ohio. He would call me tumbleweed. And I was like tumbleweed? OK. Alright. I’ll live with that one,” said Koonce.

“Is all this going on camera? I’m trying to restrain myself. That’s why I’m not saying as much,” Robinson said through laughter.

Both were non-traditional students who were looking for a roommate. They met while bartending.

At the time, Koonce was 29. Robinson, 25.

“That moment in that bar. Like dude, I heard you’re the one who need a roommate,” said Robinson. “Yeah,” said Koonce. “How were we supposed to know that this was going to happen?”

Koonce served in the Air Force, worked as a journalist, earned a Ph.D. and then taught at Norfolk State for years.

He recently retired as the head girls’ varsity basketball coach and college prep director at Sandusky High School.

That life of service is partially what inspired Robinson to offer this act of love.

“If I can help, if there’s a way I can help save him. That way he’s going to help save some other young people,” said Robinson.

For Koonce, the experience has been confirmation of his faith and the meaning of friendship.

“This is how miracles are measured,” he said.