3-YEAR-OLD BOY EZRA JACOB ROSARIO DROWNED ON HIS BIRTHDAY BECOMES PH'S YOUNGEST ORGAN DONOR

Three-year-old boy named Ezra Jacob Rosario became  the youngest organ donor in the country after a difficult decision made by his parents. His organs and tissues has been donated to the National Kidney, Transplant Institute (NKTI), and St. Lukes's Medical Center after he was declared brain-dead from drowning.

The Rosario family visited the Philippines for a vacation and to celebrate the birthday of Ezra and his twin brother last November 6. Ezra drowned after he jumped into the five-foot part of the swimming pool in Paoay, Ilocos Sur.

On social media post, his mother Jennae announced her son's passing and said: "Ezra will live on through others. With the support of our families, we decided to donate viable organs left in his body."

Added that "Ezra's kidneys are currently being harvested so that he can allow another person to live longer, and his corneas will allow seven other people to see the beauty of the world. This is the legacy we can give our child, so he lives on in the lives of other through sacrifice and the gift of generosity."

"What an honor to have a hero for a son," Jennae said.

NKTI confirmed on a Facebook post that Ezra was its youngest donor.

"Three years of life passed on to others. Short but well-lived for the youngest donor we've had since this program started," the institute's organ retrieval arm NKTI-HOPE said.

 

Ezra's both kidneys were donated to a 24-year-old recipient, while his corneas were given to recipients aged three  and 22. 

NKTI praised the young hero's parents "for their brave decision." "Thank you for your generosity to help others despite the painful loss," NKTI said.

Ezra's cremains was been brought back to the US.