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Football commentary saved my life, says transplant patient
16 Dec
Summary
- A Derby County fan credits radio commentary for helping him through illness.
- He received a life-saving liver transplant after a long health battle.
- The commentator, Ed Dawes, also shared his own mental health struggles.
A dedicated Derby County fan, Joe Brailsford, has shared an extraordinary account of how the radio commentary of his beloved team's matches was instrumental in his recovery from severe health issues. Brailsford, who has undergone a life-saving liver transplant, described experiencing profound depression and "very dark days" while undergoing treatment. He found solace and a reason to look forward to each day through the BBC Radio Derby coverage.
His health struggles began in childhood, involving ulcerative colitis, colorectal cancer, and eventually liver failure leading to a transplant in 2016. During his most critical periods, including extensive hospital stays, the commentary from Rams commentator Ed Dawes became his only comfort. Brailsford conveyed to Dawes that his broadcasts "genuinely saved my life."
Ed Dawes, who has covered over 600 games for BBC Radio Derby, also revealed his own battles with mental health, exacerbated by abuse received following Derby County's administration in 2021. The shared vulnerability and eventual meeting between Brailsford and Dawes underscore the profound impact of connection and the importance of open conversations about mental well-being, especially for men.
