Dad gives daughter gift of life in live liver donation
A dad has told how he donated 20 per cent of his liver to his toddler to save her life.
Rory Griffiths, aged 34, didn’t hesitate in sharing part of his organ with little Harriet, aged 22 months, when doctors at our Children’s Hospital (BCH) said she was in need of a transplant.
The dad-of-one, from Whitchurch, Shropshire, underwent the procedure at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, as his daughter was in the operating theatre at the same time just two miles away.
“When I found out there was a possibility I could donate part of my liver, I didn’t hesitate,” said Rory, who is a pig farmer.
“They took a portion of my liver which I describe as almost the same weight and size of a Coke can – 311grams.”
Rory’s organ was rushed over to the Children’s Hospital where surgeon Mr Hector Vilca-Melendez and his team were waiting to carry out the delicate procedure in a six-hour operation.
The toddler’s mum Emily, aged 31, waited anxiously at the Children’s Hospital to hear how both her husband and daughter were.
She said: “Even though Rory had undergone all the tests, they didn’t know for sure that the transplant could take place until they had opened him up and checked his liver. At that point the surgeons called their counterparts operating on Harriet to give them the go ahead.
“It was at that moment I shed a tear of relief – that Harriet was going to get the liver transplant she so badly needed.”
Both surgeries were a success and four days later father and daughter were reunited when Rory visited Harriet in hospital.
He continued: “I’d normalised the fact that ‘doesn’t every dad donate part of their organ to their child?’ When I got there and saw her, I was so glad to see her.
“She was daddy’s girl anyway, but now I feel I have an even stronger bond with her. I didn’t know about live liver donation, but I would say to anyone, if you’re able to, do it.
“I came out of hospital after six days and I felt quite good and at roughly 12 weeks, my liver had fully regenerated. If I could do it again for another person to save their life, I would.”
Mum Emily recalled when they first discovered something was wrong with Harriet.
She said: “She born with no issues, but developed jaundice soon after, had poor weight gain and this was picked up by the health visitor.
“Following tests in hospital, she was seen at the Children’s by specialists and diagnosed at eight weeks old with Alpha 1 Anti-Trypsin Deficiency, a genetic condition.
“She was treated with medication and a specialised infant formula which was going well, but when she was about 12 months old, we were told she needed a transplant – sadly she had developed chronic liver disease.
“Whilst discussing the deceased donor process with the medics, we were told about the live liver transplant programme at the QEHB and BCH and we both didn’t hesitate in putting ourselves forward. Rory was a match and the decision was made for us about who it would be.”
Hector said: “I’m very pleased that we have been able to re-establish the living donor liver transplant programme at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, providing another life-saving transplant option for our patients.
“This achievement was only possible through the close collaboration with the adult liver transplant centre at the QEHB, where the donor operation was performed, and through the dedication and expertise of the multidisciplinary transplant team at BCH. We are now looking forward to seeing Harriet grow up and enjoy as normal a childhood as possible, thanks to the extraordinary gift of part of her father’s liver.”
Leah Ramdharry, Live Liver Donor Coordinator at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham said: “Living donor liver transplants are still relatively uncommon, accounting for around three per cent of all liver transplants, which is why raising awareness is so important. Potential donors go through extensive physical and psychological assessments, with months of detailed testing to ensure donation is safe and appropriate for everyone involved.
“In many cases there is a good chance that a family member or friend could be a suitable match, with blood group being one of the most important factors. In Rory’s case, around 20 per cent of his liver was removed and transplanted into Harriet. The liver is a unique organ because it can regenerate, so the portion remaining with the donor grows back over time, typically within around 12 weeks.
"There is a huge amount of planning and logistics involved in a living donor transplant. Once Rory’s liver segment was removed at QEHB, it was immediately packed in ice and transported by the surgical team to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where Harriet was ready for her transplant.
“Living donation is only possible through the incredible generosity of family members or friends. If you know someone who is waiting for a liver transplant, it is something you may wish to consider. It is one of the greatest gifts a person can give. Any conversation we have about organ donation, whether living donation or donation after death, has the potential to save lives."
Rory added: “When I see her running about it’s brilliant because it feels that problem is behind us now. I feel lucky that she had this option straight away to have part of my liver.”