Robert Seeback

Musician Robert Seeback from Massapequa Park is the head of a band that plays music for fund raisers to raise awareness about organ transplants.

Seeback, who received a heart transplant in November of 1996, started The Transplant Band, as a way to give back to the world what was given to him.

"After being so close to death, you have to do something more positive. I feel I owe something to the world because someone lost their life and now I can live because of that," Seeback said.

Seeback’s near-death experience began in September of 1989 when he was driving his motorcycle and was hit by a garbage truck. Although he was not injured in the accident, he had a cat scan done as a precautionary measure. The scan showed that he had a tumor related to Hodgkin’s disease.

In remission twice, the tumor eventually returned again, this time in his lung. In order to survive the third bout with the disease, which was in stage four, Seeback needed a bone marrow transplant. He went through a stem cell transplant first, which dramatically weakened his immune system. In a record 21 days after receiving the transplant, however, Seeback was released from the hospital.

Yet his ordeal was not over. Seeback’s life was once more put into question when he suffered congestive heart failure caused by the chemotherapy and the other chemicals put into his body. He was told he had two months to live and was not a candidate for a heart transplant because he had cancer.

"I was stubborn though, and I didn’t give up," he said. On the advice of a nurse at Long Island Jewish

hospital he wrote a letter to Dr. Ronald Druzen of LIJ.

"I told him all the good things I had done and what I would continue to do if given the chance to live" he said.

Druzen was able to talk to Seeback’s oncologist who allowed him to be placed on the recipient’s list for a new heart because he had been in remission for more than a year. One year and 2 months later, Seeback got a transplant on March 17,1996.

Since then, Seeback has been spreading the news about transplants and doing musical fundrasiers for various organizations such as The National Kidney Foundation and the Alpha One Society in Amityville. Alpha One is a rare lung disease. Seeback does fund raisers for private individuals as well.

Seeback’s music is about the gifts of life and love that made such a dramatic difference for him. While the group has not completed an album, they did begin

the process and hope to finish it some time in the future.

"We started making an album but couldn’t finish because of 9/11." he said. "The Transplant Band plays a large variety of music ranging from Regee to Jazz to Rock. We pass the ball around."

His new heart not only gave him the opportunity to help others but also led him to the loves of his life. Around the time he was starting to build up medically, Seeback met his wife, Nancy at a Cabaret show held at St. Rose of Lima in Massapequa.

"We got married and moved to Massapequa Park and on November 27 2000, we had beautiful twin boys," said Seeback. "I never would have known what was in store for me," Seeback said.

"The most interesting thing I have learned from Robert is that a sense of humor can get you through anything," said his wife. "He tries very hard to get the word out for organ donations and blood donations, and he does a lot of humanitarian things."

Seeback belongs to six different organizations, including the Long Island blood center. He also lectures about his experiences, and provides phone counseling to people faced with similar situations.

"I try to provide hope for other people and to let them know that miracles do happen and the easiest way for me to do that is with music," he said. It’s something I’ve done for most of my life."

The Transplant Band recorded its first song in April 2001 and the funding came out of Seeback’s pocket. In fact, he pays for most of the costs associated with his work. But, to Seeback, it’s worth it. "The message is the most important thing," he said. The Transplant Band has played all over Long Island. Its next show will be on November 17 at Long Island Jewish Hospital. Funds raised at that event will go to the Lions Eye Bank, which is part of the Lions Club.

Seeback was born in Brooklyn and began playing guitar when he was 15 and his passion turned into his career. He currently teaches guitar and bass lessons in his home or at his students’ homes, as well as free lance band work. He is also working on a theory involving the use of entertainment and music in the healing process.

Among his other accomplishments, Seeback was influential in getting Congress to approve a measure that recognizes those who donate organs with a Medal of Honor. Seeback’s goals continue for the future and he has made it his personal mission to keep reminding people to never give up. Seeback can be reached at 516-541-3414 for phone counseling or music lessons.