Unlocking a long-held secret reunites a family — and saves a man's life

This story spans more than three-quarters of a century and includes a deeply hidden family secret that was discovered just in time to turn a tragedy into a miracle.

At the centre of it is 33-year-old Patrick Hennessy, who has a rare, genetic disease called X-linked Alport syndrome that almost inevitably leads to kidney failure. Hennessy’s maternal uncle died from it, which is how the family found out that it is in their genes.

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In February 2016, he went to St. Paul’s Kidney Care Clinic as a precaution before signing a contract to work as a chef on a private yacht. The news Hennessy received stunned him.

Daphne Bramham reports

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