**Desperate Father Saves Son with Life-Saving Liver Donation**
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In a remarkable act of love, a father from Long Island, New York, has donated part of his liver to save his baby son diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. Brian Carstens, 28, described the emotional turmoil his family experienced during their journey, which ultimately culminated in a successful liver transplant that has led to his son Benjamin thriving nine months later.
Benjamin was born in the autumn of 2024, but it didn’t take long for his family to realise something was wrong. Days after his birth, the infant began to exhibit troubling signs. He struggled to feed and subsequent abnormal results from a newborn screening revealed alarmingly high ammonia levels in his blood. This dire situation required immediate intervention, and Benjamin was rushed into the paediatric intensive care unit.
Despite aggressive treatment including medication and dialysis, Benjamin’s condition remained precarious. “We were in shock and completely devastated,” Brian recalled, grappling with the reality of his son’s life-threatening situation. Genetic testing ultimately identified Benjamin as having ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, a serious metabolic disorder that can lead to severe spikes in ammonia levels.
With the family now facing the harrowing possibility of further medical crises, Brian and his partner, Karla Hernandez Garcia, began to educate themselves about the condition. They learned that while dietary management and medication could help, a liver transplant was the only definitive cure for Benjamin’s condition. The family was referred to Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, where medical professionals explained that Benjamin would need to grow enough to safely undergo the procedure.
When Brian discovered that becoming a living donor would significantly enhance his son’s chances during the operation, he didn’t think twice. “Living donor liver transplants are associated with higher patient and graft survival. The data on that is clear,” he stated, emphasizing his determination as a father to provide support in any way possible.
The transplant was set for 18 August 2025, which coincidentally fell on Brian’s birthday. “At that time, all I cared about was making sure Benjamin had the best chance at a healthy life,” he remarked, acknowledging the poignant timing of the operation. The eve of the surgery was fraught with emotion as the family spent their last night together before the life-altering procedure commenced.
As Brian was wheeled into surgery, he glimpsed Karla lovingly cradling Benjamin and faced an overwhelming wave of emotion. “I wanted to stop and get up so I could give them one more hug and kiss,” he reflected, underscoring the heart-wrenching nature of the situation. Just before anaesthesia took effect, he made a heartfelt plea to the surgeon to take care of Benjamin, reassuring him of his commitment as a father.
Following the transplant, Brian’s first thoughts upon waking in recovery were for Benjamin’s well-being, even as he endured significant pain from the operation. Fortunately, Benjamin’s surgery went well, and the following day, Brian was moved to his son’s hospital room for their emotional reunion. The moment he reached for Benjamin’s hand was an extraordinary experience. “I started to cry. It was an incredibly emotional moment,” he said.
Now, nearly a year post-transplant, both father and son are doing remarkably well. Brian expressed his joy watching his son play and interact with the world. “He is happy and healthy,” he shared, reflecting on how surreal it feels to witness Benjamin thriving. Brian also reported a full recovery from his liver donation, stating unequivocally, “I would do it again in a heartbeat just to see Benjamin the way he is now.”
In addition to acknowledging their family’s medical journey, the couple has also expressed their hopes to finally get married after putting their plans on hold while navigating Benjamin’s health issues. As high school sweethearts who have been together since 2015, Brian shared their commitment to each other remains strong, despite the turmoil they faced.
Brian and Karla are immensely grateful towards the transplant team at NYU Langone for their expertise and care, which enabled Benjamin’s recovery. Brian concluded by asserting the importance of sharing their experience, stating, “If it can help even one person better understand living organ donation, or inspire someone to consider it, then it is worth it.” Their story serves as a powerful testament to the lengths a parent will go to protect their child and the hope that comes with organ donation.