(WSVN) - A Miami-Dade Police officer was in the fight of his life when he received a devastating diagnosis, but help arrived in the form of a fellow officer who is giving a piece of herself to help him survive. Rosh Lowe has the story in the tonight’s edition of the Lowedown.
Officer German Alech, Miami-Dade Police: “As a police officer, you build yourself to be tough.”
But sometimes life can almost break the toughest of people.
Olga Alech, officer’s wife: “When he was diagnosed, I thought it was the end of the world for us.”
Olga and German Alech were expecting their first grandchild when doctors told this Miami-Dade Police officer he had a genetic condition that led to kidney failure and he would need a transplant.
Olga Alech: “We prayed and prayed, and I have a lot of faith.”
Word spread throughout the Miami-Dade Police Department that Officer Alech needed help.
Officer Diana Castillo has served with Alech for almost 20 years, but nothing could prepare him for what she was willing to do for him — donate one of her kidneys.
Officer Diana Castillo, Miami-Dade Police: “I’m just happy I could help him. He such a kind person. I just want him around for that grandbaby.”
And here is little Olivia.
Olga Alech: “There’s no words in the world. There’s nothing we can do to thank her. She’s going to help us get through this, and now I have hope that my husband will see his granddaughter grow. Thank you.”
Officer Diana Castillo: “Of course.”
Olga Alech: “God sent such a beautiful person, such a wonderful heart.”
The transplant surgery is scheduled for Aug. 31 at Jackson Memorial Hospital. On this day, as Officer Castillo talks to her fellow officer, she tells 7News that she also recently became a grandparent.
Officer Diana Castillo: “Last training we did together, he told me he was going to be a grandfather and I was so excited for him, and I told him I was going to be a grandmother.”
Officer Castillo became a grandmother on Aug. 4 and now these two officers are joined together in the hope that they will both see their gandchildren grow.
Officer German Alech: “There are people who need help, just like me and you just have faith and always remember that there are people out there like Diana.”
People like Diana who will come to rescue when life tries to break you.
Officer German Alech: “What can you tell the person who is going to give you a second chance at life? Through my career, I’ve saved a lot of people’s lives as she has. We saw it as part of our job and to serve the community. Little did I know one day I would need somebody to save my life.”
Olga Alech: “She’s an angel God sent, I have no doubt about it.”
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