A British woman, Sara Joseph, has shared her story of donating nearly two-thirds of her liver to a man she barely knew, James Conradi, in Turkey. The donation, which took place in March, occurred after Conradi was denied a spot on the UK's National Health Service (NHS) waiting list for a liver transplant.
Conradi, 39, was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis in 2013, a condition that causes bile to build up in the liver, leading to its gradual destruction. By February, his condition had worsened significantly, and he was given a prognosis of three to six months to live. A scan also revealed two tumors in his liver, which, under NHS guidelines, disqualified him from receiving a transplant.
"Without Sara I would not be here now," Conradi stated, highlighting the life-saving nature of the donation. He has since returned to work and is resuming family life.
Joseph, 50, a nail technician, was motivated to help after seeing a Facebook appeal from Conradi's wife, Laura. Although she had only met Conradi a few times, Joseph felt compelled to act, stating, "If you have the opportunity to save a life, why wouldn’t you?" She underwent a five-hour surgery in Istanbul, while Conradi's procedure to receive the donated liver lobe took eight hours.
This case brings attention to the stringent criteria and limitations of the NHS liver transplant system. Varuna Aluvihare, transplant hepatology lead at King's College Hospital, explained that NHS guidelines aim to ensure recipients have the best chance of long-term survival, given the shortage of available organs. Approximately 500 people are on the waiting list for a liver transplant in the UK at any given time, and many die while waiting.
International options, such as those available in Turkey, often have less stringent criteria. However, the NHS warns that quicker access to a transplant abroad does not guarantee better outcomes and advises caution due to differing regulations and quality of care.
Live donations account for a small percentage of liver transplants in the UK. At King's College Hospital, efforts are underway to increase the rate of live donations, aiming for them to eventually constitute about ten percent of transplants.
Healthy adults can donate up to 65 percent of their liver, as the organ has a remarkable capacity to regenerate. While live donation involves significant surgery with risks of scarring, infection, and, in rare cases, death, it can offer a vital alternative for patients who do not qualify for deceased donor transplants.
Joseph experienced complications after her surgery, including a bile leak and infection, requiring hospitalization in the UK. Despite the personal challenges, she expressed no regret. "The point is, James would be dead without my liver," she said. The two families have since formed a close bond.
Conradi continues to take medication to prevent rejection of the donated liver and manages his condition, acknowledging his profound debt to Joseph. Joseph, despite the visible scar, feels a renewed sense of purpose, emphasizing the value of having saved a life.