S'porean man, 48, donated 67% of liver to stranger despite being told night before surgery of increased risk

Herman Sing, a 48-year-old Singaporean logistics director, underwent surgery to donate 67 per cent of his liver to an anonymous patient in 2023.

Three years on, the father of four looks energetic and cheerful, with little outward sign of the major operation he went through, which also saw his gallbladder removed, all to save a stranger he had never met, according to Shin Min Daily News.

Took up volunteering since he was 25

Sing has been volunteering since he was 25, including regularly serving with charities such as Food Bank Singapore, and donating blood plasma and platelets more than 100 times to date.

He had also signed up early with the bone marrow donor registry, indicating his willingness to help save a life if needed.

He once left his job to care for his father, who was suffering from cancer, an experience that gave him a deep appreciation for how fragile and unpredictable life can be.

After his father died, Sing decided to become a living liver donor, donating part of his liver to a patient in need in 2023.

Complications before surgery

The night before his surgery, doctors discovered that Sing's cystic duct was irregularly shaped, raising the surgical risk and prompting him to reconsider going through with it.

Sing said that when he and his wife heard the news, they thought about how the patient and their family might have waited a long time for a suitable liver donor, and were hoping for a new lease of life after the surgery.

"We couldn't bear to let their hopes be dashed. If we withdrew from the donation, all of the patient's expectations would come to nothing, and they might not get another chance with a stranger donor," he told the Chinese news outlet.

Holding on to the belief in doing good without expecting anything in return, the couple decided to proceed, and Sing successfully donated his liver.

His wife described her husband as "someone who is quite extraordinary", in a feature by Straits Times.

No major after-effects

Looking back at his decision three years on, Sing said he has not experienced any major after-effects and does not need long-term medication, though he tires more easily than before and has to be more mindful of his diet.

Despite this, he said he has no regrets, and instead wants to help as many people as he can within his means.

Sing continues to make time to volunteer, even while raising four children aged eight to 20 and working as an Asia-Pacific logistics director, a role that keeps him on call almost around the clock.

Sing's actions have also influenced those around him. Beyond getting his own family involved in volunteer work, a friend was inspired by him to donate part of his liver to a stranger as well, which Sing said moved him deeply.

"I'm glad I could inspire others to help one more family. Not everyone is suited for organ donation, but I hope to raise awareness about it, so that society can better understand and accept it," he said.

Started his own volunteer group

Sing has not slowed down since his donation, instead taking on more volunteer and community work.

To get more people involved in volunteering, he started his own volunteer group, which has since recruited more than 100 members.

He believes there is never a "best time" to do good, since life is unpredictable, and that one person's efforts are limited, so it is better to mobilise others to help as well.

"If I do three hours of volunteer work alone, I only have one pair of hands. But if I get 20 people to help, in the same three hours, that's 20 more pairs of hands," he said.

His children, inspired by their father, are also doing charity work, with his daughter even donating blood despite her fear of needles.