Alberta toddler dies waiting for stem cell transplant, family to continue legacy
CTV
An Alberta family is planning to continue helping others find stem cell matches after their toddler died waiting for one.
An Alberta family is planning to continue helping others find stem cell matches after their toddler died waiting for one.
Ezra Marfo of Lac La Biche was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in 2021. Ezra's father, Jacob Marfo, became a stem cell donor but wasn't a perfect match, so he started holding events looking for a match.
Ezra was of African descent and less than one per cent of people who join the stem cell program at Canadian Blood Services (CBS) are of African origin, according to Adrienne San Juan, with CBS.
"It's so easy, the stem cell, it's just a swab in the mouth for saliva, and a lot of people were not aware of it," said Jacob.
Earlier in the year, Jacob partnered with CBS to raise awareness of Ezra's need for a donor and the need for donors from diverse backgrounds. Only 33 per cent of the stem cell registry consists of ethnically diverse individuals, according to San Juan.
"Even though Ezra was just two, he was very selfless… so I have to continue his legacy of being selfless by doing what's going to help other people… so that no parent, grandparent, boyfriend or girlfriend goes through what I have," said Jacob.
Jacob was on a cross-Canada search for a donor, including events in Ontario over the weekend, when Ezra died on Friday.
