Bodybuilding legend Lee Haney seeks living kidney donor as family goes public with health issues
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Legendary bodybuilder and eight-time Mr. Olympia champion Lee Haney made a desperate plea for help after his family revealed this week that he needs a living kidney donor.
Haney’s son took to social media this week to reveal that the International Sports Hall of Famer’s kidney is failing 26 years after he was first told he would “eventually” need one.
Eight-time Mr. Olympia winner Lee Haney attends the 2015 International Sports Hall of Fame Class of the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, on March 7, 2015. (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
“First time I share this: my dad needs a kidney donor. Please keep him in your prayers and share him if you can,” Joshua Haney’s Instagram post read. “He is a blessing to so many others and brings life to everything he does. “There is more work to do.”
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Haney shared his own message to debunk a “appalling” rumor that apparently began circulating after his son’s post. He did not clarify what the rumors were.
“Greetings to all my family and fans. I’m alive and well. It’s scary to see how quickly rumors can spread,” his post read. “Yes, I am in need of a living kidney donor, as communicated to me by my two amazing children. Many of you have sent me prayers and I deeply appreciate them. My approach is to be proactive in facing this current challenge.”
Haney said he continues to lean on his faith and is “still well and fully functioning.”
Lee Haney stands at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 21, 2007, during Dr. Ian Smith’s “An Event to Change Your Life,” hosted by Steve Harvey. (Rick Diamond/WireImage/Getty Images)
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“My faith In the Lord it has always been my superpower. Thank you all for being really concerned. “I’m still fine and fully functioning,” his post continued. “I’m not needed in heaven right now.”
According to Haney’s children, Haney said his “faith, proper nutrition and exercise” have “delayed” his need for a transplant for many years.
“My wife of 43 years and our 7 grandchildren would be eternally grateful,” Haney said in the message shared by his son.
International bodybuilding champion Lee Haney hands out signed copies of his book at a bookstore on June 7, 1995. (African American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)
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Haney is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional builders of all time. He held the Mr. Olympia title for eight consecutive years, from 1984 to 1991, and was the youngest to win it at age 24.
He earned two perfect scores in 1986, marking a first for the sport, and was later chosen by former President Bill Clinton to serve as chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports from 1999 to 2002.
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