Sheriff's Correctional Worker Gives 'Gift of Life' to Coworker's Son

By Renee Schiavone:

A San Mateo County sheriff’s correctional worker is being praised as a hero for a life-altering decision and donation, coming to the aid of a coworker’s teenage son in his hour of need.

According to Deputy Rebecca Rosenblatt, young Garret Ramos’ story started when he was just 14-years-old, when he was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy– an immune system disorder that can result in kidney failure when met with a virus or bacterial infection.

By his current age of 19, Garret “...found himself in full kidney failure and spending up to 15 hours a day first on a manual dialysis and then on an automatic dialysis through the night,” according to Rosenblatt.

Last summer, Garret’s father Gary– who works as a sergeant with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office– decided to donate a kidney to his son. However, he was disqualified because of some health issues.

“He received the call at work that he could not himself be a donor and was reeling from this news when a coworker stepped forward and asked if he himself could be a match,” Deputy Rosenblatt said.

Jerran Higgins had met the sergeant years earlier, when they played in a city hockey league together. He had remained friendly with Gary Ramos through things like work functions– but the Ramos family never thought they’d be this close.

Higgins lived up to his promise, and began a months-long screening process with the hospital, according to Rosenblatt.

“After extensive testing, Higgins learned he was a perfect match to donate a kidney and as of yesterday, besides being a husband and father of two, he also became a living kidney donor,” the sheriff’s spokeswoman said.

Following the successful operation Tuesday, both families were understandably emotional.

“Gary came straight over to the bed and hugged Jerran, breaking down in tears, saying, ’Thank you, thank you. I love you.’.” family members wrote on a blog detailing the experience. “They both cried for a good long time. Cause cops are tough like that.”

You can read more about Garret and Jerran’s unique bond and the road to recovery in this blog here.