A Father's Day of Hope: Celebrating Life After a Loving Donation of Liver

This Father's Day sees a profound transformation for Brian Carstens from Port Washington, New York, as he celebrates the holiday in a way that redefines the very essence of fatherhood. Just shy of a year ago, on August 18, 2025—his 28th birthday—Brian made the incredible decision to donate a part of his liver to his then 7-month-old son, Benjamin. After facing severe health challenges due to a rare metabolic liver condition, Benjamin is now thriving at home, celebrating life with his family.

Benjamin was born on December 23, 2024, and shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with neonatal-onset ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, a genetic disorder that hinders the body's ability to eliminate ammonia from the bloodstream. Unattended, ammonia levels can escalate dangerously, leading to devastating consequences, especially for newborns where a liver transplant often becomes a necessity.

The moment Brian and his wife, Karla Hernandez Garcia, learned their son required a liver transplant, an extraordinary journey began. They were immediately aware that living donor transplants generally yield better outcomes, and Brian didn’t hesitate in his commitment to save his son. **