WSVN — A South Florida deputy gave his teenage son the greatest gift of all: the gift of life. Nineteen-year-old Elijah Samaroo has been in and out of the hospital his whole life, and when the teen learned he needed a kidney, his father knew what he had to do.
For a while, the prognosis didn’t look good for the Coral Springs teen. Thankfully, the man who could help save his life was the man he knew he could count on the most.
Elijah “E.J.” Samaroo is smiling now just like any other teenager, but not too long ago, there was nothing to smile about. E.J., who was diagnosed with lupus as a child, has a major medical problem. His kidneys were failing.
Samuel Samaroo: “You see your kid in pain. I mean, he’ll sit there, and even though I know he’s trying to be positive, you see him drained, lifeless. Like, a month ago, we had that close call where he did dialysis, and my wife called crying saying he’s not responding. Like, ‘What do you mean he’s not responding?'”
Elijah “E.J.” Samaroo: “I was on dialysis for about eight months. Going three times a week for four to five hours, it was definitely — not hard, but toll taking.”
The clock was ticking, and the options were getting limited. E.J. needed a transplant.
That’s when his father, Broward Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Samuel Samaroo, was approached.
Samuel Samaroo: “Whenever they asked about being a living donor and said, ‘If you’re a match, you can do the surgery in as quick as three months.'”
Samuel was a match, and for this father, the decision was a no-brainer.
Samuel Samaroo: “As a parent, I’m responsible for him. Based on my faith, if Jesus Christ can die on a cross and and give us something, why can’t I give to my kid?”
So on February 26th, father and son underwent a surgery that would bring them even closer than they already are. For Samuel, bouncing back is going to take some time.
Samuel Samaroo: “I saw him a day later. He was up and down on his phone while I was in pain and agony. It was good to see him smiling and full of joy. Hey, it’s worth the sacrifice. The biggest thing I was asking — I know it sounds strange — when I had surgery and I was groggy, I asked, ‘Did he pee yet?’ They were like, ‘Huh?’ and I said, ‘Yeah.’ Because believe it or not, once they attach the artery from him to my kidney, that’s the tell-tale sign that the kidney is functioning.”
Both Samuel and E.J. are resting at home, hoping that this one family gesture will change both of their lives for the better.
Elijah “E.J.” Samaroo: “Definitely very happy. Excited for the future and whatever it holds.”
Samuel Samaroo: “He’s an inspiration to me, to be that tough and, you know, have faith. I always tell him, ‘Have faith.’ I was like, ‘I should take my own advice and have faith.’ He’s a living testimony.”
If you would like to make a donation to help pay for E.J. Samaroo’s kidney transplant, go to http://www.gofundme.com/ncqcb8.