Ezra Marfo, of Lac La Biche, Alta., was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in 2021. His father, Jacob Marfo, became a stem cell donor, but he wasn’t a perfect match. Ezra relapsed earlier this year. In an email to CTV News Ottawa, Marfo says his son died while waiting for a stem cell donor. He was two years old. “Sadly, our son and friend Ezra has gone to be with the Lord. Fight till the end. He died waiting for a fight,” Marfo wrote. Marfo was in Ottawa recently to hold an event to find a donor that could save Ezra’s life. The problem he encountered on his trip to the country is that there aren’t enough stem cell donors to match Ezra’s ethnicity. Canadian Blood Services says less than one per cent of donors in its stem cell registry are of African descent, making it difficult for other people of African descent to find a match. Despite his loss, Marfo says he will dedicate his life to mopping up more donors who could save the lives of others. A clinic is taking place in Hamilton, Ont. this weekend. “No child should have to go through what Ezra went through without finding a match,” Marfo wrote. “I am counting on you now more than ever to bring this change to Canada and the world. All planned Swab4Ezra runs will go ahead as planned and new ones will be planned after the funeral.” For more information about becoming a stem cell donor, visit the Canadian Blood Services website. –With files from CTV’s Jackie Perez.
