When 5-year-old Ezra Toczek from Alden, New York, confronted problems of progressive liver illness, his former daycare instructor, Carissa Fisher, grew to become an surprising hero. The 21-year-old instructor and member of the U.S. Air Pressure selflessly donated a portion of her liver, giving Ezra a second likelihood at life. The lifesaving transplant was carried out by scientific groups at Hassenfeld Youngsters’s Hospital at NYU Langone and the NYU Langone Transplant Institute.
On Might 25, 2024, Carissa stunned the Toczek household by knocking on their door with an indication that learn, “Ezra, would you prefer to share my liver?” The right donor match despatched her on a trajectory that will save Ezra’s life, with the profitable transplant happening August 7, 2024, at NYU Langone Well being.
From foster care to household: Ezra’s early struggles with liver challenges
In 2019, Karen and Ron Toczek welcomed Ezra, at simply 7 months outdated, into their residence as a foster baby. Ezra suffered extreme liver harm at start, which prompted bile duct blockages and impaired liver operate. Pediatric surgeon Kaveh Vali, MD, in Buffalo, New York, referred Ezra to Adam Griesemer, MD, surgical director of the Pediatric Liver Transplant Program at Hassenfeld Youngsters’s Hospital and director of NYU Langone’s Dwelling Donor Liver Transplant Program, to discover potential options.
“I am unable to think about not having had that point with the nurses and medical doctors … his transplant group. It is simply been actually unimaginable,” says Ezra’s mother, Karen.
Karen drove six hours right down to New York Metropolis, the place Dr. Griesemer carried out a surgical process to reconstruct and open Ezra’s bile ducts, offering him with a number of years of regular liver operate. “We basically needed to purchase Ezra a while and permit him develop earlier than contemplating a liver transplant,” stated Dr. Griesemer. “It was by no means a query of if he would wish a brand new liver, however when.”
Over time, Ezra grew to become a part of the Toczeks’ massive household, which incorporates seven organic youngsters and different foster kids. In 2022, the couple formally adopted Ezra, a spunky and deeply beloved addition to their family and group.
Ezra’s hepatologist in Alden stayed in shut contact with Dr. Griesemer and Jennifer M. Vittorio, MD, medical director of the Pediatric Liver Transplant Program at Hassenfeld Youngsters’s Hospital, to observe and control Ezra’s liver situation as he continued to develop.
By February 2024, Ezra’s situation had worsened, and he was recognized with end-stage liver illness. Signs similar to extreme itching, liver scarring, and fatigue made each day life tough. “Ezra was having hassle sleeping and could not operate like a typical 5-year-old regardless of maximal medical therapies. It was clear that we would have liked to checklist him for a liver transplant,” stated Dr. Vittorio.
A knock on the door that modified every thing
Karen turned to social media to share her son’s story, hoping to discover a donor. “When it grew to become a actuality that Ezra wanted a transplant, I could not assist however assume, ‘How are we going to get this organ?’ Ezra’s care group talked about all potential choices, together with a dwelling donor. However it was so overwhelming at first,” stated Karen.
Carissa, who had been Ezra’s daycare instructor years earlier than, noticed the put up and instantly felt referred to as to assist. With out notifying the household, she utilized to donate a portion of her liver by means of the Liver Transplant Program at NYU Langone’s Transplant Institute. “I did not hesitate for a second,” stated Carissa. “If I had been 5 years outdated, I would need somebody to do it for me. I knew I might assist, and I used to be decided to take action.”
Carissa underwent an array of assessments to substantiate she’d be an excellent candidate and that it might be secure for her to donate a portion of her liver. The assessments revealed she was an ideal match.
On the day she stunned the Toczek household with the information, Karen recalled, “it caught us off guard and it took just a few moments to course of what was occurring. The aid of not ready on the donor checklist was a present past phrases.”
A transplant that restored hope
On August 7, Carissa underwent a minimally invasive robotic surgical procedure at NYU Langone, led by Karim J. Halazun, MD, surgical director of the Grownup Liver Transplant Program, to take away 30 p.c of her liver for donation. “NYU Langone is among the few transplant facilities in the US in a position to carry out one of these process robotically,” defined Dr. Halazun. “Our cutting-edge methods enable donors to heal extra shortly and return to regular life.”
Ezra’s transplant was efficiently carried out by Dr. Griesemer and pediatric transplant surgeon Bernardo Daniel Campos, MD. “We solely want a small portion of Carissa’s liver for Ezra, as it’s going to develop alongside together with his physique,” stated Dr. Griesemer.
The liver is the one organ that may regenerate and heal itself over time. “It is fairly unimaginable that in simply six months, my liver can have totally grown again,” stated Carissa. “Not many individuals notice that.”
Regardless of some problems throughout restoration, Ezra regained his energetic persona. “His power, temper, and urge for food returned virtually instantly,” stated Karen. Carissa was in a position to go to Ezra within the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Hassenfeld Youngsters’s Hospital throughout restoration, the place she was greeted by his laughter, smiles, and jokes.
Ezra shaped robust bonds with the care group, together with licensed baby life specialist Molly McClure and pediatric liver transplant social employee Katie Sclafani, who helped present emotional assist throughout the course of and restoration whereas making certain a clean transition residence. These companies are offered by Sala Institute for Baby and Household Centered Care.
A brand new starting and reunion at “Ezra’s hospital”
By September 20, Ezra was discharged to a close-by Ronald McDonald Home to proceed follow-up care. On November 1, he returned residence to his household. “Ezra has caught up on his development and growth, and he is only a exceptional baby. The progress he is made is phenomenal,” stated Dr. Vittorio.
Karen felt immense aid after bringing Ezra residence. “He is again in school, hanging out with mates and enjoying together with his siblings. He is doing all of the issues he likes to do, and we all know it’s going to solely get higher from right here. He has large goals and plans.”
Ezra shortly returned to Hassenfeld Youngsters’s Hospital on November 11 for a reunion with the multidisciplinary group that took care of him, the place he noticed Carissa for the primary time because the transplant. “Ezra loves seeing all his greatest mates at ‘his’ hospital,” stated Karen. “He was unhappy to depart and definitely not afraid to return again.”
Molly McClure, the kid life specialist, added, “It brings us a lot pleasure to rejoice Ezra’s new starting together with his favourite issues—dinosaurs and slime—and with all of the individuals who helped and saved his life alongside the best way.”
Carissa and the Toczek household keep in shut contact and stay up for seeing Ezra proceed to thrive, due to Carissa’s life-changing present of organ donation. They hope their story encourages others to think about turning into organ donors.
“I’m ceaselessly grateful to Carissa for giving Ezra this present of life,” stated Karen.
“The reward of figuring out you’ve got helped somebody in want is extremely fulfilling,” stated Carissa. “I hope extra individuals will take into account turning into donors. It is a choice that may actually change lives.”
