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5 months ago
14
A preschool teacher has taken the extraordinary step of saving a student's life by donating part of her liver.
Ezra Toczek, five, suffered liver damage at birth and was recently diagnosed with end-stage liver disease.
He was put on a transplant list in February and when his former teacher Carissa Fisher heard about his devastating diagnosis in March she applied to be a living donor without telling his family.
She traveled from Western New York to New York City and underwent testing before she found out on May 24 that she has been approved to donate a portion of her liver to Ezra.
Fisher quickly shared the news with the young boy's family and his mother Karen told People: 'We are completely overwhelmed with her kindness and generosity and sacrifice.'
Preschool teacher Carissa Fisher has taken the extraordinary step of saving a student's life by donating part of her liver
Ezra Toczek, five, suffered liver damage at birth and was recently diagnosed with end-stage liver
The preschool teacher waited weeks to find out she could donate part of her kidney to Ezra and she rushed to his family's home armed with a stuffed animal, balloons and a sign to share the good news.
'It keeps hitting us unexpectedly that it’s really happening and we’re really going to be able to move forward, and we’re so grateful,' his mother Karen said.
She added that there are no dates set for the transplant yet because 'Carissa is required to sit through a two-week "reflection period" before the donor team can work with her to schedule a date for surgery.'
Karen said her son 'is hanging in there.' She added: 'We are very fortunate that they were able to get him approved to be listed when they did, rather than waiting until he’s critically ill.
'He has struggles, fatigue, sleep difficulties, and days where he just isn’t feeling well, but overall he is a trooper, and finds joy and every day.'
She took to Facebook after Fisher delivered the good news and wrote: 'My brain literally couldn’t process what I was reading until she said it out loud.
'Miss Carissa is a perfect match! I can’t even begin to express our gratitude!
'The tears keep coming, and though I knew we’d be relieved to get the news eventually, I had no idea just how it would hit me!
He was put on a transplant list in February and his former teacher Carissa Fisher heard about his devastating diagnosis in March and applied to be a living donor without telling his family
She traveled from Western New York to New York City and underwent testing before she found out on May 24 that she has been approved to donate a portion of her liver to Ezra
'There has been no shortage of love, generosity, and genuine kindness from our family, friends, and community - but this? The most amazing gift!!
While Fisher told WKBW: 'You never know who's life you are going to be changing.
'It was emotional. It made me very happy to see both of them happy.'
She has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for 'for flights, food, lodging and other travel expenses for me and my caregivers that will be there with [her] helping through the [donation] process.'
'I also highly encourage other people to step out of your comfort zone and put yourself on a living donor list!
'There are thousands of people in need of livers and kidneys and you never know who’s life you’ll be changing!'
Fisher has raised $1,900 so far with a goal of $7,500.
Karen has her own page on the site where she is raising money for her son's transplant.
'Thank you for your continued support - we have a long road ahead of us, and it’s getting real now,' she wrote.
She has so far raised $6,600 and has a target goal of $15,000.
English (US)