Rory Griffiths, 34, donated 20% of his liver to save the life of his 22-month-old daughter Harriet, who urgently needed a liver transplant. The father-of-one from Whitchurch, Shropshire, did not hesitate to undergo the operation, even though compatibility could only be confirmed once surgeons opened him up on the operating table.
Operation Details
The procedure took place at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where surgeons extracted a portion of Rory's liver roughly the size and weight of a Coke can – 311 grams. The organ was then transported two miles to Birmingham Children's Hospital, where surgeons spent six hours performing the intricate transplant on Harriet.
Both operations were successful. Four days later, Rory visited Harriet in hospital, describing the moment as emotional. "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," he said.
Father's Perspective
Rory, a pig farmer, said: "When I found out there was a possibility I could donate part of my liver, I didn't hesitate. I'd normalised the fact that 'doesn't every dad donate part of their organ to their child?'" He added that he would encourage others to consider live liver donation: "I didn't know about live liver donation, but I would say to anyone, if you're able to, do it."
Rory was discharged from hospital after six days and reported feeling good. At roughly 12 weeks, his liver had fully regenerated. "If I could do it again for another person to save their life, I would. 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," he said.
Mother's Account
Harriet's mother Emily, 31, explained the uncertainty of the procedure: "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."
Medical Background
Harriet's health issues first emerged when she showed signs of jaundice and struggled to gain weight. Tests at eight weeks old diagnosed her with Alpha 1 Anti-Trypsin Deficiency, a genetic condition. She was treated with medication and a specialised infant formula, but at around 12 months old, she was diagnosed with chronic liver disease and told she needed a transplant.
The family learned about the live liver transplant programme at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and Birmingham Children's Hospital. Both parents volunteered, but Rory was a match. Emily said: "Rory was a match and the decision was made for us about who it would be."
Surgeon's Comments
Surgeon Hector Vilca-Melendez commented: "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."
