All Black legend Lomu needs new kidney

Updated February 13, 2012 11:57:01

New Zealand great Jonah Lomu said medical tests had confirmed a donated kidney he received eight years ago had failed and he needs a new transplant.

The former All Blacks wing said he had lost 30 kilograms since his long-standing health problems re-emerged last September, telling the New Zealand Women's Weekly "everybody has to die sometime".

"Unfortunately none of the treatment has worked, my kidney is exactly the same as it was when I first got sick," Lomu said, revealing he needs dialysis three times a week to keep his renal system functioning.

Lomu was diagnosed in 1995 with the rare kidney disorder nephrotic syndrome and underwent a transplant in 2004, receiving an organ donated by friend and New Zealand radio broadcaster Grant Kereama.

The 36-year-old spent 16 days in Auckland Hospital last year after returning to New Zealand from his home in France to star in the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony at Eden Park.

Lomu, who remains in his homeland receiving treatment, said the search was on for a new kidney donor but a second transplant would be far more complicated than the first.

"I know I was fortunate to get the first transplant but there are more difficulties this time around," he said.

"The match will be harder and the process of finding a suitable donor is difficult. The chances of my body rejecting this kidney are higher too."

Lomu said he was staying positive by exercising to ensure he is in good shape "in case everything goes pear-shaped" and playing with his sons Brayley and Dhyreille.

Regarded as rugby union's first global superstar, Lomu rose to prominence with his devastating performances in the 1995 World Cup and also played a major part in New Zealand's 1999 campaign.

He still holds the record for most tries at the World Cup, with 15 in total, and scored 37 tries in 63 Tests for New Zealand before illness eventually cut short his playing career.

"I'm really lucky, I've already lived more in one lifetime than many would in six or seven lifetimes," he said.

"The thing about being human is that everybody has to die sometime. For me, the important thing is to ask 'can you look in the mirror and say you done everything to enjoy life?'."

AFP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted February 13, 2012 11:52:20

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Lomu facing second kidney transplant

Updated October 02, 2011 09:17:18

All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu revealed Sunday he was facing the prospect of a second kidney transplant amid fears a donated organ he received in 2004 was failing.

The 36-year-old said he was undergoing daily dialysis after being admitted to Auckland Hospital's renal unit earlier this month when an illness he initially thought was a cold escalated into a life-threatening condition.

Lomu said he was preparing to attend a function earlier this month when "it just went pear shaped", leaving him hot, cold and shivering.

"I crashed," he told the New Zealand Women's Weekly magazine, in an exclusive interview for which he is believed to have received an undisclosed fee.

"My kidney was failing and my body had become so toxic it started to shut down."

Lomu's wife Nadene said the couple were awaiting the results of tests to find out if he needed another kidney transplant.

"They've said there's a very slim chance this kidney may survive," she said.

"So for now Jonah's having dialysis every day and a load of other treatments to see if it can be revived."

Lomu was diagnosed in 1995 with the rare kidney disorder nephrotic syndrome and underwent a transplant in 2004, receiving an organ donated by New Zealand radio announcer Grant Kereama.

The former player, regarded as rugby union's first global superstar, has been based in France in recent times but returned to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup, where he played a part in the opening ceremony on September 9.

He said he still hoped to attend the final at Auckland's Eden Park on October 23.

"My kidney needs a rest, then it needs to wake up and start working," he said. "It needs to fight."

Lomu rose to prominence with his devastating wing play in the 1995 World Cup and also played a major part in New Zealand's 1999 campaign. He still holds the record for most tries at the Rugby World Cup, with 15 five-pointers.

However, his illness eventually cut short his playing career.

Since he was admitted to hospital on September 23, the giant winger has received emotional messages of support from the current All Blacks' squad and prime minister John Key.

New Zealand players and support staff gathered after team training last week to hold up letters reading "Get Well Jonah - Kia Kaha (Be Strong)", with hooker Keven Mealamu saying Lomu had helped shape the All Blacks' ethos.

"It's sad to see a man like that the way he is at the moment, so we're really hoping for him to get well quickly," Mealamu told reporters.

AFP

Tags: rugby-union-world-cup, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted October 02, 2011 09:17:18

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