Boy, 2, Overcomes Cancer After Aunt Gives Him a ‘Second Chance’ with Liver Donation: ‘It Meant Everything’

A two-year-old boy from Ohio is celebrating his recovery from a rare form of cancer, thanks to the selfless act of his aunt, who donated part of her liver to save him. Crew Dearth was diagnosed with stage 4 hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer affecting just one to two children per million in the United States, prompting his family to seek urgent medical intervention.

In February 2025, Crew’s mother, Nicole Dearth, noticed troubling symptoms resembling the flu in her son. Initially, a paediatrician suspected an ear infection; however, further examination revealed that Crew had a severely swollen and “bloated” stomach. This led Nicole to take him to the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for additional testing, where an ultrasound and blood tests confirmed the diagnosis of hepatoblastoma.

The emotional weight of this diagnosis was overwhelming for Nicole and her husband, Chad. “I was shocked, overwhelmed — just deep sadness. I just couldn’t believe it,” Nicole recalled, expressing her disbelief at having to face such a life-threatening illness with their 11-month-old child. Following the diagnosis, it became apparent that the cancer had spread to Crew’s lungs, necessitating numerous cycles of chemotherapy and continuous monitoring.

Despite the initial success of the chemotherapy, it became evident that Crew would eventually require a liver transplant, as the tumour was in a position that made surgical removal impossible while maintaining his liver function. Dr Stefanie Thomas, a paediatric hematologist-oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic, explained that the tumour’s entwinement with critical blood vessels posed significant risks to Crew’s health.

While Crew was placed on the transplant waiting list, a beacon of hope appeared in the form of his aunt, Taylor, who realised she could be a living donor. “I felt like I was meant to be the one to do this for him,” she said, highlighting her desire to help a loved one during a time of crisis. With her youngest child just twelve days older than Crew, the stakes felt all the more personal for Taylor as she prepared for the operation.

On the day of the surgery, Taylor described a mix of nerves and readiness, wanting nothing more than to facilitate Crew’s recovery. Despite the stressful circumstances, she remained hopeful. After the operations, which were successfully executed by a skilled surgical team, both Crew and Taylor were discharged from the hospital in under a fortnight.

In the aftermath of the transplant, Taylor’s primary concern was Crew’s well-being. “The first thing that I just wanted to know [after surgery] was if Crew was OK, because I know his surgery was way more intense than mine,” she shared, relieved to hear positive news about her nephew’s condition.

By September 2025, joy filled the Dearth household when Crew received clear scans, indicating there were no signs of lingering cancer. “I honestly didn’t know if we would ever see that day,” Nicole said. The announcement marked a significant milestone in their journey, and both parents felt immense relief and happiness at the successful outcome of the transplant.

Taylor recounted the emotional moment Crew rang the Bravery Bell, a tradition symbolising the end of cancer treatment. “I just kept thinking how out of reach this all felt when we first found out he had cancer. But for this day to come, and to see the smile on his face as he walked down the hall — it meant everything,” she said.

Now, the Dearth family is devoted to raising awareness about the life-changing impact of organ donation. Taylor expressed her gratitude for the experience, stating, “I never thought about being a living organ donor for someone until Crew’s diagnosis, but I am so happy that I got the chance to do so. It has filled me with such joy and gratitude.” Nicole echoed her sentiments, adding, “Her gift to us is the reason Crew’s thriving today.”

As they continue to share Crew’s story, the family hopes to inspire others to consider living organ donation, showing how such acts can profoundly change lives and create lasting memories for families in need.