"A true tale of courage, faith, love, and perseverance, written with style and grace, wit and wisdom." -Maria Juarez, retired NYC publishing executive "A poignant story of bodies and souls connected through a rare gift of familial love." -Sara Jenkins, author of This Side of Nirvana "A meaningful look into the life of a transplant patient." -William Durham, MD, nephrologist, Mountain Kidney and Hypertension, board certified in nephrology Keeping a Piece of Her is the story of a challenging medical diagnosis that led to an improbable life path. Devoted to health and fitness, Bob had completed his first marathon in November 1982. However, Bob soon found he wasn't as healthy as he thought. His kidneys had begun to fail irreversibly due to a genetic condition called Alport syndrome. He was told that, within five years, he would be in "end-stage renal failure." Keeping a Piece of Her tells the compelling story of both the physical and emotional challenges Bob faced during that period and his sister Rita's offer to donate one of her kidneys. In language both warm and witty, Bob relates the joys and challenges of his "second life," including a scary period in which his body had begun to reject Rita's life-giving gift. Fourteen years after giving Bob her kidney, Rita shared a secret that exposed years of deep, personal pain. Ultimately, Keeping a Piece of Her showcases trial, triumph, tragedy, and, above all, abiding love. "A true tale of courage, faith, love, and perseverance, written with style and grace, wit and wisdom." -Maria Juarez, retired NYC publishing executive "A poignant story of bodies and souls connected through a rare gift of familial love, told with grace, warmth, and delicious wit." -Sara Jenkins, author of This Side of Nirvana "This book provides a meaningful look into the life of a transplant patient. As a nephrologist, it is refreshing and rewarding to see how impactful a kidney transplant can be." -William Durham, MD, nephrologist, Mountain Kidney and Hypertension, board certified in nephrology "This book weaves two stories into one: part detective tale that begins with a routine urine test and part triumph over a near-fatal kidney disease, seasoned with love from family and friends. Beautifully written, with humor and sadness, Gance captures human resilience at its finest." -Marilyn Laken, PhD, RN, author of I've Never Been Old Before: A Practical Guide to Aging "In Keeping a Piece of Her , the author takes us on a gradually unfolding, life-threatening journey that proves a major point about healthcare crises. This is a story told with vulnerability and wit. It will leave you with many bits of hard-earned wisdom as well as a more vibrant view of our connectedness within this human family." -Mary E. Selby, retired post-op nurse "Bob Gance's Keeping a Piece of Her is a compelling book. . . . Most of all, this book is a love story-Rita's altruistic love for her brother and his love for her, love between parents and children, husbands, wives, and life partners. It has wrenching moments and moments of fun and hilarity. The final effect is a heart-warming affirmation of human goodness." -Merritt Moseley, emeritus professor of English, University of North Carolina at Asheville, author of seven books about contemporary British fiction, most recently A History of the Booker Prize: Contemporary Fiction Since 1992 , published London: Routledge, 2021 "This is a moving story of love and courage that details the lifesaving gift of a kidney from sister to brother. Full of anecdotes, wry humor, and deep feeling, the story reveals what it's like to donate and to receive a kidney and the immense gratitude such a gift engenders. It is not only enlightening but inspiring to read this well-crafted, lovingly immersive account." -Jim McGlinn, EdD, professor emeritus, UNC Asheville "Bob Gance's memoir, Keeping a Piece of Her , is a moving and inspirational story of love, courage, and acceptance. On the surface, a reader might expect to learn about kidney disease and a successful organ transplant. Here, the deeper message is how sacrifice and love unites a brother and sister and permeates their close-knit family. It is also love that leads to the celebration of differences in identity and more than acceptance-celebration-of the unique relationship of two women. You will be moved to tears, but you will also be inspired." -Jeanne McGlinn, professor emeritus, UNC Asheville " Keeping a Piece of Her is a readable and compelling retrospective on the author's battle with kidney failure and his unique relationship with his sister, his organ donor. Full of insights, humor, honesty, and selfawareness, it is a gift that will move and inspire not only patients and their families but a much broader audience." -Robert White, retired professor of English Bob Gance faced a life challenge when, at the age of thirty-five, he was told that his kidneys had begun to fail irreversibly. Forty-two years later