Toddler's Kidney Transplant 'Went Well' Following Donation By Palm Desert Sheriff's Deputy

PALM DESERT, CA - A 3-year-old boy in need of a new kidney and the Riverside County sheriff's deputy who donated the much-needed organ to the child were recovering Wednesday following a successful transplant surgery this week, according to sheriff's department.

Earlier this year, Deputy Alicia Lopez of the Palm Desert Station came up as a donor match for young Matthew Castleberry, who was diagnosed in utero with posterior urethral valves. The condition, a developmental abnormality in the urethra, has caused severe damage to the toddler's bladder and kidneys, forced him to undergo numerous operations, and required him to be on dialysis since birth.

Last month, sheriff's officials shared the touching story of young Matthew, and how a friend and former colleague of his mom had stepped up to plate to help him out. Against the odds, Deputy Lopez came up as a match for the child. And after months of preparations and several false hopes of getting a kidney from other donors, the pair underwent surgery on Monday.

"We are happy to announce that the transplant surgery went well and both Alicia and Matthew are currently in recovery," sheriff's officials said on Tuesday. "On behalf of the Castleberry and Lopez families, we thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and ask that you keep them coming!"

The tot and his family took a tour of the Palm Desert sheriff's station in July to meet with Lopez and other deputies. Patch was there and caught much of the action live, which you can watch in the embedded footage below.

-- By City News Service / Main Image by Renee Schiavone