Talented Footballer Returns to the Field After Receiving His Mother's Kidney

Niclas Bergmark, a name familiar in Swedish football circles and grandson of the legendary Orvar Bergmark, is making a remarkable comeback after a life-threatening illness. He recently underwent a kidney transplant, with his mother generously donating one of her kidneys.

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I have no direct memories, but I've been told a little so I can pick up a little bit anyway.

Bergmark, who debuted in the Allsvenskan at 17 and was part of a talented youth national team alongside future stars like Anthony Elanga and Filip Jörgensen, had a future that seemed bright. However, in late 2024, he began experiencing unusual fatigue, which led to extensive medical examinations. Initial tests for diabetes and asthma came back negative.

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You should have between 140 and 160, and you become bedridden at 80. I had 53.

Further hospital visits revealed critically low blood counts, with his kidney function at just 53, far below the normal range of 140-160. This diagnosis led to a six-week hospital stay, during which he underwent daily dialysis. Doctors initially suspected blood cancer, necessitating further tests while he was undergoing treatment for kidney failure.

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There was zero function in the kidneys, and dialysis alone would not be enough; I needed a new kidney. Then my mother stepped up, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.

With his kidneys functioning at zero capacity, a transplant became essential. His mother stepped forward, offering her kidney. After a period of waiting and further tests, the transplant surgery was scheduled for October 30th of the previous year. Nine months post-operation, Bergmark is feeling significantly better and has resumed training, expressing profound gratitude to his mother for her life-saving gift.

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You had to count down the days, and during that time, you felt awful. It was 43 tablets a day, I could only drink five deciliters of water and not urinate anything, because the kidneys were completely out of function, so all the fluid that came into the body stayed there.