A YOUNG man who donated part of his liver to save his father’s life, has urged more donors to come forward.

Deraj Wilson-Aggarwal went under the surgeon’s knife to help dad Naresh Aggarwal, 54, who had caught hepatitis C from a blood transfusion, which led to cirrhosis of the liver and then cancer.

Since his son’s donation, Naresh, from Southend, is making a remarkable recovery.

Discussing his journey, zoology student Deraj, who had to cut out alcohol from his diet for the transplant, said: “It was just generally a huge lifestyle change. I wanted to be as healthy as possible for the transplant and for my body to be in the best condition.

“I was eating healthily, running and cut out alcohol.”

Thinking back to the day of the operation nearly two months ago, he said: “I was very worried. I had never had an operation before and I wasn’t sure if I would wake up. It was very scary, but I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to do it.

“Spending time in hospital has also opened my eyes to some of the health problems other people are going through, so it reallymakes you think.

“I actually feel healthier now than I did before.”

Both Deraj, 21, and his brother Jared, 25, jumped at the chance to help their father and signed up to donate. Jared was not a match, but both brothers now want to raise awareness of the need for organ donors.

Deraj said: “I think organ donation is a key issue at the moment.

“I’m concentrating on my recovery at the moment, but after that, I might do a charity run and some fundraising.”

Jared said: “We want to make people aware the country needs more people to donate, and not just liver, all organs.

He says there is a need for donations, particularly from the Asian community as the blood type B, which is common to this group, is less common in the UK.

Discussing his experience, Jared said: “The process does take a long time. The doctors like to give the donors at least three months to think about the decision.

“I was frustrated when I found out I wasn’t suitable as I had prepared myself.

“The doctors are very supportive and the donor’s health is always first priority “Only one in four potential donors end up actually being suitable to donate, so we need lots of people to come forward and hopefully our story will help with the awareness and showwhat a success it can be.”