JFH News: Scott MacIntyre Makes Major Health Announcement on Eve of "Lighthouse" Album Release

Scott MacIntyre Makes Major Health Announcement on Eve of "Lighthouse" Album Release

NEWS SOURCE: Bozeman Media
September 22, 2014

Nashville, TN (September 22, 2014) ----- Singer/songwriter, Scott MacIntyre, releases a major announcement today regarding his personal health, on the eve of the release of his new album, Lighthouse. A seven-year kidney transplant recipient, MacIntyre is now facing end-stage kidney disease for the second time in his life. As of last week, he has officially been accepted into the Vanderbilt Hospital transplant program and has been placed on the national waiting list for a deceased donor kidney.

The average wait time for a deceased donor kidney is three-five years. Though the doctors cannot be sure about MacIntyre's exact prognosis, they estimate he will need the transplant within the next six months, which would involve receiving a kidney from a living donor.

"I'm so grateful to my first kidney donor for these past seven years of my life." says MacIntyre. "Without that life-saving gift, I would have never been on American Idol, married my wife, or been able to share my story with so many people around the world. Unfortunately, transplanted kidneys can't last forever, and now I'm facing the same life-threatening illness once again."

MacIntyre has made his health situation public to create more awareness of the importance of organ donation and to bring hope to those facing organ failure and future transplants.

"My wife and I are facing the same unknowns right now that tens of thousands of others and their families face every day," MacIntyre adds. "I hope that by being open and vulnerable about what I'm going through, I can draw attention to the overwhelming need for donated organs and encourage more people to become organ donors."

In the meantime, the American Idol finalist will be actively promoting his new album, Lighthouse that releases September 23rd. The project features eleven songs with lyrics that showcase the faith, hope, and grace MacIntyre has found in the midst of adversity. The first radio single, "Fifty Second Chances," embodies the core of MacIntyre's story. I need fifty second chances/And a hundred near misses/A thousand more I'm sorry's/And a million questions why/Though I don't yet have a martyr's faith/I'm willing to try/Forgive me for all my circumstances/Thank you for fifty second chances.

Also featured on Lighthouse are two guest vocal performances by fellow Idol alumni Danny Gokey and Skylar Laine. The album closes with MacIntyre's song, "I Am Hope," which has become a well-known anthem for organ donation that will be featured in upcoming events for the National Kidney Foundation Walks in New York City, Los Angeles, CA, Boston, MA, and Miami, FL.

MacIntyre will continue with an active touring schedule in the U.S. and Canada while his minimal kidney function allows. For further updates on Scott MacIntyre please visit online www.scottmacintyre.com, on Facebook www.facebook.com/ScottMacOfficial and at Twitter, @ScottDMacIntyre.

About Scott MacIntyre
Scott MacIntyre inspired the world when he competed on American Idol and became a finalist in 2009. He was the first blind contestant in the shows history and one that will always be remembered due to his incredible talent and positive attitude. MacIntyre revealed the details of his first kidney transplant in his book, By Faith, Not By Sight published by Thomas Nelson Inc in 2012. In 2013, the book was translated and published in Indonesian. The autobiography also recounts MacIntyre growing up as a child prodigy, when he began playing piano by ear at 3-years-old. This led to MacIntyre learning to play guitar, bass, drums and organ, before graduating from college with a Piano Performance degree at 19-years-old. MacIntyre attended several esteemed universities in the states and abroad, and was awarded Marshall and UK Fulbright scholarships, while being ranked by USA Today as one of the top 20 undergraduate seniors in the nation. MacIntyre has enjoyed a successful solo career and has shared the stage with such notable artists as The Band Perry, Michael W. Smith, The Jonas Brothers, and Alice Cooper, among many others. His previous album, Heartstrings, debuted at No. 18 on the iTunes Pop Album Chart and his holiday album Christmas in Paris featured his original song "Christmas Angel" which enjoyed radio success in 2010. His upcoming project, Lighthouse, releases September 23, 2014. MacIntyre resides in Nashville, TN with his wife, Christina.

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