Pakenham man donates 70pc of his liver to save friend's life

Father-of-two Ben Britton underwent the transplant on May 26 after hearing that his friend and colleague, Susan, 41, had been taken seriously ill almost two thousand miles away. 

The pair met in 2016, having worked together at an international aid organisation, Ben based in Asia and Susan covering the Middle East. They now work for DT Global, which delivers international development projects on behalf of the government. 

Ben Britton and his friend, Susan, have know each other since 2016. Image: Ben Britton (Image: Ben Britton)

Susan had been feeling unwell and visited a hospital to undergo diagnostic tests. 

At first, the doctors couldn’t be sure what she was suffering from, but they found that Susan’s liver was not functioning properly and warned her that she may need a transplant. 

Before a diagnosis could be reached, Susan fell unconscious and was rushed into intensive care. She has since been diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. 

Doctors searched Susan’s phone for an emergency contact and found the number of a friend based in the UK. Susan urgently needed a liver transplant, they explained, but she would need a donor from overseas.

Due to the Turkish healthcare system, she was not eligible for a liver from a Turkish resident. 

This friend raised the alarm, which was how Ben came to hear of the situation. 

Ben Britton made the decision to fly out to Turkey to help Susan. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Ben Britton said he knew he had to do what he could to help Susan. Image: Ben Britton (Image: Ben Britton)

Ben Britton said he is recovering well. Image: Ben Britton (Image: Ben Britton)

“I knew that Susan and I shared a blood group, so this was something I might need to do,” said Ben, 36.

“I talked it over with my wife, and she said, if there is even a small chance that this might help Susan, then you should do it.” 

Ben caught a flight to Istanbul on May 24. A frantic two days of paperwork and admin followed, which included a “gruelling” interview with an ethics committee, who ascertained that Ben was a willing donor and not being paid. 

Finally, two days later, Ben underwent surgery to remove 70% of his liver. By this time, Susan was gravely ill, and doctors estimated that she had only hours to live. 

Ben said that Susan is slowly recovering in hospital. Image: Ben Britton (Image: Ben Britton)

Ben Britton in hospital in Istanbul. Image: Ben Britton (Image: Ben Britton)

Fortunately, the operation was successful.  

Susan is still in hospital, but is slowly on the road to recovery. 

“She was dazed and confused when she first woke up. She didn’t know what had been going on,” said Ben. “She asked, have you given me your liver? 

“It was very emotional.” 

According to the National Institutes of Health, the liver can regrow to normal size, even after as much as 90% of it has been removed.  

Ben Britton is back in Suffolk, and recovering well. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Ben returned home to Suffolk to recuperate on June 6, with doctors estimating that it will take him roughly three months to recover. This is helped by the fact that Ben keeps fit and active, playing cricket for Woolpit Cricket Club.

Club president Dr Richard West said: “Having an operation on your liver is a major undertaking. To do so when it is not for your own benefit but to save the life of someone else is a true act of altruism."

Ben said that he is thankful to Susan’s friends for rallying around her and spreading the word. 

“I’ve never been a big believer in fate. But I had a feeling that, if I just accepted what was happening the outcome would be good,” he said. 

A fundraiser to cover Ben's expenses in Turkey has been started.