Roy Keane's daughter reveals how Man Utd icon is helping her through incurable condition
Roy Keane's daughter Caragh has been battling lupus for four years, with the legendary Manchester United captain playing a key role in her recovery from the disease
Roy Keane's daughter has opened up on her battle with lupus with the Manchester United legend supporting her through it. Caragh Keane is one of the Sky Sports pundit's five children.
But she has experienced a difficult few years after developing lupus. It is not contagious, instead it's an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.
The exact cause is unknown, but a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors are believed to play a role. The 29-year-old developed the incurable disease back in the summer of 2021.
She began suffering blisters on her fingers and toes, with a dermatologist diagnosing her with chilblains, despite the warm weather. Keane also began suffering with fatigue and even struggled to stay awake while driving or having a haircut.
She was also afflicted with joint pain, forcing her to reject her dream job as a primary school teacher, and hair loss, with her hair falling out in clumps. After hitting what she describes as 'rock bottom' Keane was eventually diagnosed with lupus and her recovery began.
"There is no single test for the autoimmune condition, however various markers in the blood can point towards it. All of these were present in my system. Before my diagnosis, I had only heard about lupus because of Selena Gomez, who discovered she had the disease in 2013," Keane told The Sun.
"I was clueless about the details and, with no definitive cause, I went down a Google rabbit hole for answers. I found horror stories of organ issues and people becoming reliant on immunosuppressants, such as chemotherapy medication.
"My dad is the most supportive person, and my mum Theresa is super-positive, too, which stopped me spiralling. I'll never be cured, but I manage lupus with supplements, diet and lifestyle. It's a work in progress, and I occasionally get flare-ups, which mean hair loss and pain."
Keane works to prevent flare-ups, changing her diet, working to alleviate stress and curtailing playing competitive sports. Since making steps in her recovery, Caragh has launched a healthy foods company.
The business focuses on selling organic and healthy food products to the public. Her father was instrumental in getting it off the ground, with the former United skipper providing financial and moral support.
He told the Stick to Football podcast in a joint appearance with Caragh: "When you started you asked me to support you, I said 'Yeah go for it girl'.".
He then humorously described their business meeting: "Can I have some money daddy? That was the business meeting!"
The football legend showed his generosity, adding: "I said yeah, take it, whatever you need. It was more than what I thought to get a company up and running, it's been hard work."
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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Heading the ball is what took my dad's life so early, but football is also what gave us so much... TV star Hayley McQueen admits she has bittersweet feelings about her late father Gordon's playing career
A PHOTOGRAPH in the family home of late football legend Gordon McQueen shows him leaping high into the air to head the ball. It's an image which elicits a range of emotions in his daughter Hayley McQueen. She remains proud of her father's illustrious career and the many special moments like that in the photograph when the ex-St Mirren, Leeds United, Manchester United and Scotland defender was at the peak of his physical prowess. However, she describes those feelings as 'bittersweet' given his death aged 70 after a battle with vascular dementia and the growing body of research showing a link between heading the ball and the condition. Sky Sports presenter Ms McQueen said: 'I suppose maybe I do look at (the artwork) slightly differently now, but I don't look at it with anger and it doesn't make me too upset. 'It's just quite saddening to look at it, to think, 'Well, that is what took dad's life so early', but that is also what gave us so much.' Following a post-mortem on her father, a coroner ordered an inquest to probe whether there was a link between his illness and his playing career. The family have spoken of their fear that there is a connection, with Ms McQueen, 45, stating she expects worse to come. She said: 'I think we're facing an epidemic. In a few years, there are going to be not just hundreds, but possibly thousands, of footballers affected. And I don't just mean professionals who played at the top of the tree. Right across the football leagues there will be a lot of footballers suffering with neurodegenerative disease.' Asked if other ex-players speak to her about the issue, she said: 'Yes, loads. I know a very, very high profile, former Manchester United player who used to get headaches and migraines and has elements of forgetfulness now. 'He's obviously worried. I said, 'Well, why don't you just go and get a test? Why don't you go and get a scan?' But he said, 'I don't want to. I don't think I want to know'. That's awful.' Such is their commitment to exploring the issue, McQueen's family donated his brain to research being conducted by Professor Willie Stewart, a consultant neuropathologist at Glasgow University and a leading expert in brain injury in sport. His analysis found Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) — a brain condition thought to be linked to repeated head injuries and blows to the head. The NHS states that CTE slowly gets worse over time and leads to dementia. This played a part in the coroner's decision to hold the inquest into McQueen's death. At present, the hearing has been postponed because medical records compiled by doctors at the clubs McQueen played for between 1972 and 1985 are missing. However, there is nothing in the records they do have to suggest injuries outside of football, such as a car crash or assault, that might have resulted in brain damage. Ms McQueen said: 'With all the medical evidence and research out there right now, everything points to heading a football. Particularly, the position that my dad played, at centre-half, seems to have a higher amount of players that have dementia. They were defenders, and my dad was a prolific header of a football.' The Sky Sports presenter said the family don't plan to take legal action against football authorities if a link between her dad's illness and the sport is determined. However, she hopes to raise awareness of the risks associated with heading the ball. She is also grateful for the role played by the Scottish FA in bringing their English counterparts into the inquest process. She said: 'The SFA were present in the two pre-inquest hearings, as well as representatives from Leeds United and Manchester United. The FA, who we thought would be a party of interest, didn't express an interest. 'However, the SFA got in touch with the FA to say that they felt because my dad's playing career essentially was in England that the FA should be part of any hearing. Therefore the FA were there at the last meeting that we had and that was actually the SFA who made that happen.' Ms McQueen said the delay to the inquest and the questions that remain over what caused her father's illness have made the grieving process harder. The family buried half of his ashes in the graveyard of the Yorkshire village of Hutton Rudby, where he lived until his death. They planned to wait until the inquest concluded to scatter his remaining ashes at his first club — Kilbirnie Ladeside — in the Ayrshire town where he was born and grew up. However, they now plan to do this as soon as they can organise for their whole family to be together. Ms McQueen said: 'The football club is literally round the back of the house where my grandad lived on Glenriddet Avenue, and they had a big, long garden that looks on to the pitches. 'Kilbirnie Ladeside said they would allow us to go down and scatter his ashes in a little bit of land near where some of the pitches are.' The second anniversary of McQueen's death on June 15, 2023, falls on Father's Day this year, adding another element of sadness to what will already be a difficult day for his daughter and the rest of the family. It may be two years later, but the memory of her father's heartbreaking decline remains. Ms McQueen said it was a feeling that her father was being 'hidden away' as they cared for him and kept his illness private that eventually led them to discussing his condition openly. She said: 'We only came out and spoke about his dementia because we still had people asking him to do radio interviews and attend after-dinner speeches, and we still had people sending stuff for my dad to sign and he couldn't. He couldn't write. He couldn't sign his name anymore. 'The only reason we came out was because I felt like my dad had been hidden away for a year or two. I guess we needed to let people know why it seemed like he had disappeared. And then I realised I was really happy that we did that.' Ms McQueen said her family had been told in December 2022 that her father had 'weeks, if not days' left to live. However, his body proved so strong despite the progression of the disease that he lived for another six months. She said: 'With a lot of sports people, their brain is fighting against their body. These guys kept their bodies fit and healthy.' The wait for the inquest goes on, but for now, Ms McQueen and her family take strength from the fact they are not alone. She said: 'There's a little bit more noise now, and people actually speaking out about their worries in football right now. There are a lot more footballers with dementia than you can even imagine.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Sports presenter Hayley McQueen fears thousands of footballers could soon be diagnosed with dementia
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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
My mum's had 15 babies and now wants ANOTHER one at 58 – it's reckless & selfish… and I'm terrified it could kill her
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And she recently told The Sun she was 'broody' and was willing to defy doctor's orders to go through with another pregnancy. Advertisement But in a blistering interview, Megan, who spent her childhood seeing her mum pregnant 'almost all the time', hit back: 'Broody? I think Mum is being selfish to try to become a surrogate again. It's time she retired her uterus. 'I honestly can't believe she's trying again and is talking to doctors. 'She's too old. How many more last times can there be? 'When she announced she's coming out of retirement I was shocked and dismayed. 'As an emergency medical worker I see the best - but also the worst - outcomes in every possible type of scenario. Advertisement 'I worry for mum. She wants so badly to help others, but I said to her: 'The risks are too high. Don't do it. It's time you enjoyed your amazing achievements but also your well earned retirement. 'She said 'Let me have one last try'. She wants me to support her. She has spent her whole life feeling broody so I suppose it's no surprise that hasn't gone away. 'I told her 'you've been a wonderful mum as well as an amazing surrogate and I'm scared of losing you. Please don't sacrifice our family to give someone else one.' I'm the world's most prolific surrogate and want my 16th baby aged 58 - docs fear I could die this time but I'm not worried 'Mum told me she has unfinished business and she was sad when she didn't bond with the last surrogate family. It's her dream to have one more.' 'I replied: 'The price could be your life. This could kill you'. Advertisement Pregnant for 30 years Earlier this month The Sun revealed Carole, who is in perimenopause, has been in touch with fertility experts in Greece and Cyprus to see if she can conceive another child using IVF. 10 She gave birth to triplets for one couple in 2008 Credit: Collect 10 Carole with her daughters, Stephanie (left) and Megan (centre) Credit: Collect Doctors have previously warned her that having another baby could kill her - but Carole claims her body has never let her down. Carole, who has the Guinness World Record for being the world's most prolific surrogate, would also become Britain's oldest surrogate if she is successful at becoming pregnant and giving birth. Advertisement The oldest known surrogate in Britain is Pamela Butler who gave birth to her grandson aged 57 in 2010. Carole had her first surrogate baby - a little boy - in 1995. She went on to have twin girls in 1997 for the same couple and they continue to be close to this day. Baby four, in March 1998 was a girl for a couple who had suffered multiple miscarriages. Five was a little girl for a couple who already had a child with another surrogate. Baby six was a little girl who completed the family for the parents of baby number four. Advertisement Baby seven was a boy for a woman who had tried to have a baby for 23 years. When I was growing up I remember my mum being pregnant most of the time. Megan Horlock Next was a little girl - her eighth surrogate child - for a couple whose previous surrogate had kept the baby. Baby nine caused a public outcry, as the little boy turned out to be Carole's and her husband Paul's - but she still gave him away. Triplets came next, making up babies 10, 11 and 12 who were born after IVF and via a caesarean. While baby 13 was a little boy born in April 2012, again by caesarean. Risks of birth at 58 IT is possible for a woman to give birth at 58 but natural conception is extremely rare and most women of this age need IVF, often using donor eggs due to diminished ovarian reserve. Multiple previous pregnancies, especially with multiple births and multiple caesareans, significantly increase risks such as uterine rupture, placenta previa, and haemorrhage. Using donor eggs from a younger woman can reduce the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down's syndrome. But the risks of pregnancy complications – including gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, hypertension, and preterm birth – are significantly higher due to the mother's age. There are substantial risks. Older mothers also face a higher likelihood of requiring intensive care during or after delivery. The risks increase with each successive caesarean. NHS fertility treatment is only offered to women aged under 43. Many UK specialists may be reluctant due to the high medical risks involved but age limits may be more flexible abroad. Dr Sami Almusawa is a Fertility Consultant at Megan said: 'My first memory of Mum being pregnant with a surrogate baby was when I was four. Advertisement 'When I was growing up I remember my mum being pregnant most of the time. 'She was a single mum back then, working full time in a launderette, bringing me and Stephanie up single handedly whilst also being a surrogate. "She was like superwoman. For a lot of the pregnancies she worked until she was literally in labour. 'We were involved in everything. 'She'd tell us: 'The lady's tummy is broken so she's borrowing Mummy's tummy.' Advertisement 'In the evenings our favourite game was eating Maltesers while watching TV and we used to balance them on her belly and try to get the baby to kick it off. 'We'd follow the couples through the pregnancy journey and when she gave birth, I got to meet them and hold their child. 'Even at such a young age it was a fantastic experience because you saw each couple grow with excitement throughout the nine months. 'Then we got to see them with their baby afterwards and sometimes even watch the surrogate children grow up." 10 Carole with pictures of the many babies she had carried Advertisement 10 Stephanie and Megan grew up with their frequently pregnant mum Credit: The Press People Megan has stayed close to many of the kids her mother gave birth to. 'I have a WhatsApp group with some of them and we plan to meet," she says. "They were like cousins, but in reality as Mum donated her eggs for some of the pregnancies, some are my half-brothers and half-sisters biologically. 'I have always thought what Mum did was so special. Advertisement 'Now, as an adult I have even more admiration for what she's done and the families that she's made.' Pain over long lost brother Meghan was seven when Carole met her now husband Paul, now 71. She said: 'He is my dad. He became a part of our surrogacy journey too. There was more love in our home than many families experience. 'I wouldn't say I missed out on anything. I think my life was more full of love because of my mum doing this. 'I have always said maybe after I have my own family I'd like to be a surrogate one day. Advertisement 'But Mum has to know when to stop and enough is enough.' Megan revealed she does think of one of the babies more often than others - baby nine, a little boy who turned out to be Carole's and Paul's who they accidentally gave away. 10 Baby boy number nine was revealed to be the biological son of Carole and husband Paul Credit: Supplied 10 The last birth was a difficult one Credit: JK Press The mix-up came to light when the surrogate couple did a DNA test after the birth and discovered the child was not theirs. Advertisement Megan, who has a long-term partner and lives in Braintree, Essex, said: 'Mum and Paul did a lot of soul searching as Paul does not have biological children of his own, although I think of him as my dad. But they hadn't planned to have a child and so they decided to let them keep him. 'I do think of baby nine more than the other children, because we are estranged and he is my half-brother. 'I quite often wonder what he looks like, how he acts, the things he likes, what his personality is like. I wonder what he's up to, he might be at university. I wonder if he looks like me. 'I would love to meet him and I hope that he will make contact one day and I know Mum and Paul would love to meet him too.' 10 Megan says her mum is her best friend Credit: Supplied Advertisement 10 Carole loves being pregnant and helping other couples Credit: Collect Difficult birth Meghan revealed her concerns for her mum stem from being her birthing partner during her last labour in 2013. She said: 'The doctors decided to induce her because of her age and the risk of pre-eclampsia, rather than there being a pre-eclampsia developing, which Mum didn't agree with. 'Her body knows what it's doing. It was very difficult to watch my mum go through the pain of being induced, a caesarean and the recovery. 'She did admit that pregnancy did take more out of her than the previous ones because of her age. Advertisement 'Twelve years have passed since then and I think it's a lot later in life. 'It's going to be twice as hard as the last time and the risks to health during the labour are going to be higher. 'Having had two previous caesareans, it just increases the risk even more. It's a huge concern. 'Mum is my best friend. There is nothing she could ever do that would ever upset me enough to affect our relationship. 'As much as I have my personal views, ultimately I will support her through her decision and journey and be there for her. Advertisement 'I will go with her to the hospital even though I don't agree because I know what it means to her. 'I still believe people should be able to do what they want in life and be able to live how they want.' Last night Carole said: 'My daughter's feelings are very important to me, in fact they are everything. 'But I know my body and I'll be taking the best medical advice in the world to ensure my body can do this and see a pregnancy through. "I know my body but I won't let a couple down - so tests will confirm if this can go ahead. I'm confident I can do this.'
