Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy thanks colleague for liver donation

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies are part of a brotherhood, but the bond between Javier Tiscareno and Jorge Castro runs so much deeper.

"I never had a brother until now," Castro said.

On June 4, Keck Medicine of USC doctors took out 60 percent of Tiscareno's liver to give to Castro, a 14-year-veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department who was dying from liver failure due to an autoimmune disease. It took 11 hours to complete the surgery.

When Castro brought his wife and young children to see the man who saved his life, Tiscareno realized the significance of his gift.

"[Castro] was able to say [to his kids], 'Hey, you know, this is the guy who saved me,'" Tiscareno said. "But what touched me is he says, 'Now I get to see you grow up. I get to be part of your life.' And that gave me so much happiness."

USC surgeons have performed 300 live liver donor transplants since they pioneered the technique in 1999. What makes this procedure possible is the liver's ability to regenerate.

"It takes about two months for the liver to grow back to its normal size," liver transplant surgeon Dr. Yuri Genyk said.

In California, about 3,000 people are in desperate need of a liver transplant. Each year, about 700 people get one, but about 500 people die waiting, and doctors say the need for liver transplants is on the rise.

"As a matter of fact, the liver cancer is probably the fastest growing cancer among other cancers in the United States," Genyk said.

To be a live liver donor, you have to be in good health and your blood type needs to be compatible with your recipient's blood type.

Tiscareno went to USC to make sure he was a match. For that, Castro can hardly express his gratitude.

"If you love somebody, do it, do it for that person so he can live a happy life," Castro said.

Both liver sections are expected to grow back to normal size, and both men could return to work and other normal activities within about two months, hospital officials said.

City News Service contributed to this report.