When 5-year-old Ezra Toczek of Alden, New York, faced complications from progressive liver disease, his former kindergarten teacher, Carissa Fisher, became an unexpected hero. The 21-year-old teacher and member of the US Air Force selflessly donated part of her liver, giving Ezra a second chance at life. The life-saving transplant was performed by clinical teams at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone and the NYU Langone Transplant Institute.
On May 25, 2024, Carissa surprised the Toczek family by knocking on their door with a sign that read, “Ezra, would you like to share my liver?” The perfect donor match sent her on a path that would save Ezra’s life, with the successful transplant taking place on August 7, 2024, at NYU Langone Health.
From foster care to family: Ezra’s early battles with liver challenges
In 2019, Karen and Ron Toczek welcomed Ezra, at just 7 months old, into their home as a foster child. Ezra suffered severe liver damage at birth, which caused a blocked bile duct and impaired liver function. 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 Children’s Hospital and director of the NYU Langone Living Donor Liver Transplant Program, to explore possible solutions. .
“I can’t imagine not having that much time with the nurses and doctors … his transplant team. It was really incredible,” says Ezra’s mother, Karen.
Karen drove six hours to New York City, where Dr. Griesemer performed surgery to reconstruct and open Ezra’s bile ducts, giving him normal liver function for many years. “We basically wanted to buy Ezra some time and allow him to grow before we thought about a liver transplant,” Dr. Griesemer said. “It was never a matter of if he would need a new liver, but when.”
In time, Ezra became part of the Toczeks’ extended family, which includes seven biological children and other foster children. In 2022, the couple officially adopted Ezra, a dazzling and much-loved addition to their home and community.
Ezra’s hepatologist at Alden stayed in close contact with Dr. Griesemer and Jennifer M. Vittorio, MD, medical director of the Pediatric Liver Transplant Program at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, to monitor and monitor Ezra’s liver condition as he continued to develop.
By February 2024, Ezra’s condition had worsened and he was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. Symptoms such as severe itching, scarring of the liver and fatigue made daily life difficult. “Ezra was having trouble sleeping and couldn’t function like a typical 5-year-old despite maximum medical treatments. It was clear that we needed to refer him for a liver transplant,” said Dr. Vittorio.
A knock on the door that changed everything
Karen took to social media to share her son’s story, hoping to find a donor. “When it became a reality that Ezra needed a transplant, I couldn’t help but think, ‘How are we going to get this organ?’ Ezra’s care team brought up all the possible options, including a living donor, but it was so overwhelming at first,” Karen said.
Carissa, who was Ezra’s kindergarten teacher years ago, saw the post and immediately felt the call to help. Without notifying the family, she applied to donate part of her liver through the Liver Transplant Program at the NYU Langone Transplant Institute. “I didn’t hesitate for a second,” Carissa said. “If I was 5 years old, I would want someone to do it for me. I knew I could help and I was determined to do it.”
Carissa underwent a series of tests to confirm that she would be a good candidate and that it would be safe for her to donate part of her liver. Testing revealed it was a perfect fit.
On the day she surprised the Toczek family with the news, Karen recalls, “it caught us off guard and it took a few moments to process what was happening. The relief of not having to wait on the donor list was a gift beyond words.”
A transplant that restored hope
On August 7, Carissa underwent minimally invasive robotic surgery at NYU Langone, led by Karim J. Halazun, MD, surgical director of the Adult Liver Transplant Program, to remove 30 percent of her liver for donation. “NYU Langone is one of the few transplant centers in the United States that can perform this type of surgery robotically,” explained Dr. Chalazun. “Our breakthrough techniques allow donors to heal faster and return to normal life.”
Ezra’s transplant was successfully performed by Dr. Griesemer and pediatric transplant surgeon Bernardo Daniel Campos, MD. “We only need a small part of Carissa’s liver for Ezra, as it will grow with his body,” Dr. Griesemer said.
The liver is the only organ that can regenerate and heal itself over time. “It’s unbelievable that in just six months, my liver will be fully recovered,” Carissa said. “Not many people realize that.”
Despite some complications during his recovery, Ezra regained his lively personality. “His energy, mood and appetite came back almost immediately,” Karen said. Carissa was able to visit Ezra in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital during his recovery, where she was greeted by his laughter, smiles and jokes.
Ezra formed strong bonds with the care team, including Certified Child Life Specialist Molly McClure and Pediatric Liver Transplant Social Worker Katie Sclafani, who helped provide emotional support during the procedure and recovery while ensuring a smooth transition home. These services are provided by the Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care.
A New Beginning and Reunion in “Ezra’s Hospital”
By September 20, Ezra was discharged to a nearby Ronald McDonald House to continue monitoring. On November 1st he returned home to his family. “Ezra has caught up in his growth and development and is just a remarkable kid. The progress he’s made is amazing,” Dr. Vittorio said.
Karen felt a huge sense of relief after bringing Ezra home. “He’s back at school, hanging out with friends and playing with his brothers. He’s doing all the things he likes to do and we know it’s only going to get better from here. He has big dreams and plans.”
Ezra soon returned to Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital on November 11 for a reunion with the multidisciplinary team that cared for him, where he saw Carissa for the first time since the transplant. “Ezra loves seeing all his best friends at ‘his’ hospital,” Karen said. “He was sad to leave and certainly not afraid to come back.”
Child life specialist Molly McClure added: “It brings us so much joy to celebrate Ezra’s new beginning with his favorite things—dinosaurs and slime—and all the people who have helped and saved his life along the way.”
Carissa and the Toczek family remain in close contact and look forward to seeing Ezra continue to thrive, thanks to Carissa’s life-changing gift of organ donation. They hope their story will encourage others to consider becoming organ donors.
“I am forever grateful to Carissa for giving Ezra this gift of life,” Karen said.
“The reward of knowing you’ve helped someone in need is incredibly rewarding,” Carissa said. “I hope more people will consider becoming a donor. It’s a decision that can really change lives.”
