Broward Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Donates Lifesaving Kidney to his Son

Elijah “E.J.” Samaroo was just 11 years old when he began his all-to-frequent trips to the hospital.

His eight-year odyssey of suffering began when doctors at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center diagnosed him with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body’s own tissue and organs.

Elijah suffered complications from the disease, which led to him needing open-heart surgery. On what should have been Elijah’s first day of high school, he began chemotherapy treatment to suppress the lupus.

Then his kidneys began to fail and he required dialysis, a treatment that filters blood to rid the body of harmful wastes, extra salt and water. Elijah required the treatment three times a week, for up to five hours each day. Still Elijah’s condition worsened to the point of end-stage kidney failure. His best option was a kidney transplant.

Elijah’s supportive and concerned father, Samuel Samaroo, a sergeant with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, attended a meeting at the Miami Transplant Institute, a joint program of Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami Miller of Medicine, to learn about the Living Donor Kidney program.

Sgt. Samaroo received the information that the wait time for a kidney transplant on the deceased donor waiting list could be years long. But if a family member wanted to be a living donor and was found to be compatible, the transplant surgery could be scheduled within just a few months.

Elijah’s father and oldest brother were both tested – and dad was the perfect match.

“As a parent, I’d rather give my kidneys, than my sons who are younger; I feel that any parent would do it,” said Samuel Samaroo. “Our purpose in life is to pay it forward.”

The successful father-son kidney transplant took place in February at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Following the procedure, Samuel joked with his son, “You got a kidney now – don’t ask for a car.”

Today there is a father who is thankful he was able to give his son a second chance at life.

“It was worth it,” he said. “To see him smile now, after how much he’s suffered all these years, is priceless.”

Elijah and Samuel continue their recovery at the Coral Springs home that they share.

The BSO sergeant is ixpected to return to work soon, and Elijah is enjoying spending time with his three older brothers.

Elijah “E.J.” Samaroo has also started his own fashion website, focusing on interior décor. His dream: to decorate the house of NBA player LeBron James.

Samuel Samaroo couldn’t be happier watching his son adapt to his new, healthier lifestyle.

“Now he is doing everything a typical 19-year-old would do,” he said. “It’s like rewinding back in time to when he was 11.”

Both father and son credit the medical team at Jackson Memorial Hospital and the Miami Transplant Institute for helping them during Elijah’s eight-year journey towards transplantation.

“In my heart I knew everything would be fine,” Elijah said. “We grew a personal relationship with the nurses including making jokes and watching television. They were more like our friends than just caregivers.”