Today, Ipswich Town Football Club announced that Town U23 manager, Kieron Dyer, has been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Over the next week he will undergo tests to evaluate his need for a liver transplant.

Not everyone who has PSC will go on to need a liver transplant, but for those that do, it is a lifesaving operation.

Martine Walmsley, PSC patient and Chair of Trustees at PSC Support said:

“The uncertainty that comes with a PSC diagnosis can be devastating, and often weighs heavily on the patient and their loved ones and is an isolating experience.  While liver transplantation isn’t a cure, it is lifesaving to those whose PSC progresses to a point where their liver and bile ducts can no longer function effectively.

"PSC has been described as the ‘last black box of hepatology’ and there is currently no known curative treatment, or treatment that is known to slow its progression. However, we take cautious consolation from the growing number of research studies into the condition.

"There is much work to do but there is hope for the thousands of us, like Kieron, who are living with the consequences of this insidious disease. Our community of PSC patients are sending Kieron and his family our support and want him to know he’s not alone.”

Image Credit: A rare appearance for West Ham by Keiron [sic] Dyer against Bolton Wanderers, 21/08/2010: by Egghead06 is licensed under CC BY 3.0