Shae Hutchinson seeking new donor and faces fight to continue 'living out dream'
Thursday 20 February 2020 12:29, UK
Shae Hutchinson's dream of being a professional footballer for Norwich City hangs in the balance as the young striker awaits a second kidney transplant.
Hutchinson, 20, suffers from Alport Syndrome and underwent his first kidney transplant last season after his father proved "the perfect match".
After missing most of the 2018/19 campaign, he returned to action and followed up a goal in last September's EFL Trophy match at Oxford United with three goals and an assist in January to earn a nomination for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award.
But complications with his previous transplant have now left Hutchinson requiring a new kidney if he is to achieve his ambition of living a normal life and a career as a professional footballer.
"When your kidney is working at around 15%, that's when you need a transplant," he told Norwich City's official website."My new kidney is at 17% and it still doesn't work properly. I'm going to have to get another one as soon as possible.
"I want to continue living out my dream as a professional footballer, enjoying life with my family and friends. However, for this to happen, I desperately need to find a matched kidney donor to beat this."
Hutchinson was originally diagnosed with the condition as an eight-year-old, but it was only when he reached 16 that the symptoms which affected his hearing, eye sight and energy levels, really started to take a hold.
"Because I play sport and I'm always working hard using my body, I needed it [the transplant] pretty soon," he added. "My dad was my match. There were other people in my family and strangers, but my dad was the match and it was perfect.
"It took me about six months to get back into football properly and start training out there with the boys."
Now that support will be called on once again if Hutchinson can find the right match for a second time.
"The boys showed me a lot of support [the first time]," added Hutchinson. "They were always texting. When I'm struggling, the team will boost me up and show me lots of confidence.
"They understand what I've been through and they are never harsh on me."
Shae is in need of an urgent transplant if he is to beat the illness. To find out how you can become a living donor for Shae or to join the Organ Donor Register, please visit www.aclt.org.
