Ace offers sick dad kidney
Mar 4 2007
By Sarah Robertson, The Sunday Sun
Liam Plunkett
Cricket star Liam Plunkett offered his ailing dad one of his kidneys for transplant.
Alan Plunkett, 49, suffers from the potentially life-threatening hereditary condition called polycystic kidney disease.
His health worsened recently and Alan was told he would need to go on renal dialysis or have a transplant.
It was then fast bowler Liam made the offer... which was turned down by his dad who feared the op might affect his career.
Alan, of Marton-in-Cleveland, Middlesbrough, said: "The only person in my family who could give me a kidney is Liam, as both my brothers and sister have the same condition, and my daughter Natalie, 23, has also been tested positive for the disease.
"He offered but I said `thanks, but no thanks'. It was an amazing thing to do but I could not accept because I'd be worried it would affect his cricket career. Instead I am awaiting dialysis until a new kidney becomes available which could be about two years away."
Alan Plunkett
People who donate a kidney usually suffer no ill effects but are advised to protect their remaining kidney by, for example, avoiding rough contact sports.
Polycystic kidney disease causes large fluid-filled cysts to develop on both kidneys which can cause them to fail. Alan has had the condition since his early 20s.
Meanwhile, Liam's mum Marie, 47, has battled back from two forms of cancer - non-Hodgkins lymphoma and a melanoma - and has been cancer-free for four years.
Durham star Liam, 21, who flew out on Friday to the Caribbean to spearhead England's World Cup challenge has until now kept his family heartache hidden.
Alan, a former chemical technician at ICI, said: "Liam has kept me going. My heart feels like it will burst."
The two are so close that Liam has just bought a house on the outskirts of Middlesbrough. a short car ride from his parents' home, so that he can drop in whenever he likes.
And Alan said he relishes every moment they spend together. He said: "We enjoy playing golf together, although not now because I get tired easily, or we'll go for a nice meal.
"I would love to be able to see him play but because I am waiting for the dialysis I won't be able to do any travelling. I'm just pleased I managed to get to Australia last year for a month when he was there."
Liam is part of England's 15-man squad in the West Indies after his brilliant form Down Under when he helped take them to a 2-0 victory over Australia in the one-day series.
Liam Plunkett with dad Alan
He credits his dad with his success. Liam said: "Everything I am as a cricketer is down to my dad.
"He was a decent fast-bolwer for Marske (in the North Yorkshire South Durham League) in his day, so there must be something in the genes.
"But he's also my strength, my real driving force, and I wish he could be in the Caribbean because we've got a chance to pull off something special."
Alan said Liam showed raw cricketing talent from the moment he could walk. He said: "From when he was little I knew he'd play at a high level.
"When I played he'd be tagging along and he had no fear of the ball when the adults were bowling it. Then he said he wanted to make it his full-time career and we were thrilled when he was selected for Durham.
"Liam is way beyond me offering tips but he will still ring me after a match and ask me what I think."
Now Alan's goal is to see him win the World Cup.
He said: "He has achieved such a lot already at such a young age and there is nothing he could do that would make me any prouder of him than I am, but if he did win the World Cup, well then that is all my dreams come true."
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