A teenager’s life was saved when he received a new kidney after his mum swapped hers with a stranger – whose family gave one back to her son in return.
Dan Hogben was preparing for a two-year scholarship with Hull City when he received a crushing diagnosis of chronic kidney disease at the age of just 16. His kidney function fell to 13 per cent and he gave up the game because he could not keep up with the pressures of professional football.
But Dan was offered a second chance through an organ-sharing scheme, where his mother Alison, 51, donated a kidney to another person in return for one from the same family. And the teenager, now 19 who has recovered from the operation, will put his sporting knowledge to use as a referee – while helping others struggling with their diagnosis.
