I donated half my liver to my father
When one adult donates to another, they have to give a larger portion of their liver than if donating to a child, so the risks are greater. But Dad has a rare blood group, and the chances of a cadaver donation were remote. Jared and I had tests and found that, against all odds, we were both compatible. After that, we didn’t give him any choice – we weren’t going to take no for an answer.
Deraj Wilson-Aggarwal
I watched my dad die – and then come back to life
I grabbed the chainsaw and started trying to cut him out, sawing dangerously close to his ear. Stu quickly took over from me and began sawing off sections while instructing the rest of us to take the weight of the branch, slowly lifting it. Once freed, Dad was laid out flat on the ground and we began to do CPR. It was then that we were able to see the full extent of his injuries. His chest was exposed, and I could see one of his lungs. His stomach was swollen.
Oliver Thompson
My father gave me my first hit of heroin
Taking drugs was part of the way my father and I connected. I’m thankful I was able to get a little closer to him during that time. Heroin took my father’s life, through a deliberate overdose 16 years ago. Bizarrely, it gave me mine. I still love and miss him deeply.
I met my estranged dad when he saved my life
Linking arms with the instructor, he put his hands underneath me and helped to keep my limp body afloat. As they were carrying me in, my dad asked the instructor what the unconscious boy’s name was. “Benji”, he replied. In all the madness, my dad hadn’t had a chance to look at me, but on hearing my name he looked and realised it was me, and began to weep.
Ben Baker
