Two tired and emotional sheriff's deputies shared a stage Thursday to speak about one other thing they share: a very vital organ.
The two veterans of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department underwent a liver transplant a week ago and are still recovering from the procedure that brought them together and formed a close, brotherly bond.
"I'm thankful to have him here and I hope to have him here for the rest of his life," said deputy Javier Tiscareno, who noted his big reward is letting Jorge Castro see his kids grow up.
Castro, on the force for 14 years, was diagnosed with a rare liver disease, and he mentioned it to Tiscareno while they were working out. Only a living donor transplant could save him.
"I never thought I was gonna have a brother at age 40," Castro said of his colleague. "I'm so thankful."
On his own, Tiscareno called up Keck Hospital of USC. He was tested and found to be a perfect match, leading to 60 percent of his liver -- an organ that can regenerate on its own -- being cut out and implanted in Castro.
"In both deputies the livers will grow back to the size of their normal livers," said Dr. Yuri Genyk, the surgical director of the liver transplant program Keck Medicine of USC.
Tiscareno, an 18-year veteran of the department, said his wife was initially taken aback when she heard he wanted to go through with the procedure, but she was at the hospital Thursday.
Both men were emotional at USC for their news conference. They're expected to return to work and their normal activities in about two months.
Editor's Note: A USC representative told NBC4 the hospital is the only program offering adult living donor liver transplants, but a UCLA spokesman said the UCLA Liver Transplant Program also offers the procedure.
