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‘You’re my hero’ - Thierry Henry’s message to City starlet Shae Hutchinson
Norwich City striker Shae Hutchinson, who is in need of a kidney transplant. Pictued in hospital and in action for the Canaries. Picture: Sarah Hutchinson/Paul Chesterton - Credit: Sarah Hutchinson/Paul Chesterton
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has recorded a message for Norwich City academy player Shae Hutchinson, who is in need of a kidney transplant as he continues to battle with a genetic condition.
The 19-year-old is dealing with the effects of Alport syndrome, described by the NHS as a genetic condition characterised by kidney disease, hearing loss, and eye abnormalities, causing progressive loss of kidney function.
His original kidney was working at 15% at the point where he got his first transplant. Hutchinson’s father was a carrier and donated his kidney to the striker, but the operation hasn’t had the impact doctors hoped it would, and the teenager is currently awaiting his second operation.
Hutchinson returned to action following surgery this season, netting in the under-23s defeat to League One side Oxford United as he slotted a one-on-one past the goalkeeper.
Hutchinson joined the Canaries following his release from the Gunners academy, where the iconic striker made his name.
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“Hello Shae, this is Thierry. I just wanted to let you know that you’re my hero. It is unbelievable to see what you’re going through right now.
“Not only to deal with it one time, you came back, you played. Now you have to deal with it a second time. All my thoughts are with you, my prayers.
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“You just have to hang on. Stay strong. Hopefully I’ll see you soon,” Henry said in a video message posted on Norwich City’s twitter account.
Earlier this season, he explained the effect the disease was having on his football career.
Arsenal icon Thierry Henry recorded a video message for City starlet Shae Hutchinson. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
“My dad (Gerald) was my match, which was a good thing,” the Canaries youngster explained. “I had other people in my family, some strangers, but my dad was a match so it was all perfect.
“When your kidney is working at 15 percent that’s when you really need a transplant and my kidney right now, my new one, is at 17, so it still doesn’t really work.
“It’s basically as bad as it was before my transplant so I’m going to have to get another one as soon as possible.”
