Ben plays on thanks to tissue donor
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster, who recently moved to Birmingham City, was faced with a career-ending injury after he ruptured a knee ligament. It was the second time he’d damaged his anterior cruciate ligament, and to have a chance of saving his career he needed a new tendon to repair the injury.
Tendons are often preferred to ligaments as they are stronger. Now thanks to the generosity of a tissue donor, Ben has received an Achilles tendon, helping him back to full fitness. “Without the donated tendon for my knee, my playing career may not have lasted this long,” says Ben. “Thanks to the kindness of my donor, I’ve been able to get back to playing Premier League football again, and had the honour of being called up to play for England. It’s all thanks to the skill of the surgeon, the help from NHSBT in providing me with the tendon, and to the donor. Without the decision to donate this would never have been possible.”