NEW YORK (WKBW) – A 5-year-old New York boy who desperately needed a liver transplant and his former preschool teacher are now forever connected through the gift of life.
Ezra Toczek, 5, was discharged from a Manhattan hospital last week after undergoing a life-saving liver transplant 45 days earlier. His donor was Carissa Fisher, his former preschool teacher, who volunteered to be a living donor back in March.
Fisher was a perfect match, and Ezra, who suffered liver damage at birth, is now on the road to recovery after ongoing complications that led to end-stage liver disease. The transplant was a major hurdle in a long journey for the 5-year-old and his family.
“It’s been a lot longer of a road than we thought the initial recovery would be, so we’re grateful to be on the other side of that piece,” said Ezra’s mother, Karen Toczek. “His entire old liver was removed. All he has is the new piece that he got from Carissa, and it is fantastic.”
As a donor, Fisher spent 6 weeks in New York City before returning home to Alden in late August. As she works through her own recovery, she says she’s proud she was able to help her young friend.
“It gives me a sense of accomplishment. I’m very happy that I could help him, and obviously, everyone else is super excited that he’s feeling better and getting better,” she said.
Ezra’s mother says the transplant saved her son’s life, and she’ll never be able to repay Fisher for what she did.
“Can’t put it into words really. I’ll never be able to repay her, and I just love that she’s close enough that she’ll be able to stay in our lives and really watch him grow,” Toczek said.
The two families are now forever connected through the gift of life.
“It was a crazy, crazy journey. That’s how I would explain it. It was fun, it was crazy and now, I can’t wait for Ezra to be home so we can see each other again,” Fisher said.
The 5-year-old and his mother expect to be in New York City for several more weeks while he continues his recovery. When they get home, the families plan to reunite and celebrate.
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