Dad gives part of his liver and bowel to save son, 6, in rare transplant
Gary Jackson holds son Harry in hospital on the day of the surgery(Image: Family Handout/PA Wire)
TL;DR
- Gary Jackson donated part of his liver and bowel to save his six-year-old son, Harry.
- Harry was born with malrotation and developed intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD).
- The father was a 98% human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match with his son.
- The 17-hour operation took place at King's College Hospital in London.
- This combined liver and bowel transplant in a child is one of only around ten performed globally.
- Gary Jackson lost six stone and made significant lifestyle changes to be eligible for donation.
- King's College Hospital is at the forefront of liver transplant research and has performed two such combined living donor transplants in the UK.