LASD deputy provides life-saving organ donation to fellow deputy

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (KABC) -- In January 2014, Jorge Castro was diagnosed with a rare liver disease. As treatment failed, the 14-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department had only one option: a liver transplant.

"As time went on, my disease progressed," Castro said.

Doctors told Castro he needed a transplant as soon as possible. No one in his family was a match, but there was hope in fellow Deputy Javier Tiscareno.

"The words that I will never forget is when he told me, 'I'm not going to go to a funeral knowing that I could have helped,'" Castro said.

Tiscareno says he did not hesitate to help the second he learned his friend was dying. Tiscareno got tested and was a perfect match.

"I consider the members of this department, as well as the law enforcement community, my extended family, and I am happy to help out a brother in need," Tiscareno said.

Castro firmly believes that if Tiscareno had not stepped up and donated a portion of his liver to him, he would have been dead before the end of the year."

"Javier is my angel. God sent him (at a) perfect moment in my life," Castro said.

"I cannot express the appreciation, the love and admiration for him, because it takes a lot of courage to accept to do this for a friend," wife Edith Castro said.

The surgery is scheduled for Thursday at Keck Hospital of USC. Both men are expected to be in the hospital at least two weeks and then recover at home.