Former West Ham star Kieron Dyer has revealed that he is waiting for a life-saving liver transplant.
The ex-Hammer suffers from a condition called primary sclerosing cholangitis, which can cause serious damage to the liver.
Dyer had a glittering career, playing for the likes of West Ham, Newcastle, and England, and he has now confirmed that he has been told that he needs a transplant if he is to survive the disease.
Indeed, twenty years ago, Dyer played for his country in a World Cup quarter-final against Brazil. He is now desperately hoping that he can receive the transplant, and keep living.
But he has now opened up on the struggle with being on the waiting list, as he will need someone to pass away in order to take their liver, and he has been on the waiting list for six months.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, Dyer said: “Sometimes there are people waiting for transplants who only have weeks to live.
“I am getting increasingly fatigued but I’m not in the super-urgent category so I might have to wait a few more months until my liver has really deteriorated before I am called in. There are not enough livers for the demand of people who need them.
“I am just thankful that they have found out what’s wrong with me. I’m aware I’m dependent on someone else’s misfortune giving me the chance to live a long and happy life.
“My greatest hope is that, whoever’s liver I get, I do that person proud. They encourage you to touch base with the family of your donor after your operation and that’s something I thoroughly intend to do.
“It would give me some comfort, I think, if I was in the situation of a family who had lost a loved one. They would have lost someone they have cherished and loved but through their generosity they have given someone else the chance of a long life.
“I hope I’ll earn their legacy. I wouldn’t want to screw that up. I know how precious a second chance would be.”
Everyone at ClaretandHugh sends Kieron our very best.
