One of the stars of a new media campaign unveiled to make sure no childhood is lost to serious illness is a six-year-old from Barking.
Ezra Martei is in adverts across London and the south east and on social media channels to promote the campaign by Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (GOSH) charity.
Ezra was just four when he was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, a rare bone marrow condition.
His family’s life was turned upside down by his illness which meant Ezra spending almost a year in isolation at the children’s hospital.
A bone marrow transplant was a success and he is now back doing the things he loves, although still having monthly hospital check-ups.
Ezra and mum Merley after his transplant at Gt Ormond St (Image: Gosh) “Ezra missed out on a lot of childhood moments,” his mum Merley recalled.
“He missed things like the first day at school, learning to ride a bike and his fifth birthday party because he had no energy and couldn’t go outside to play.
"That part of his life engulfed the whole family. We missed out on two years of family life.”
But the charity was there for them, giving support and hope — and helping Ezra’s education while in hospital.
Ezra can now take part in those childhood moments that he missed like playing with his sister, going to school and just plain running round in the park.
The media campaign is to fund services that help protect childhoods, including research and buying medical equipment as well as supporting families who are going through the toughest journey of their lives.
“Ezra dreams of becoming a firefighter when he grows up,” Merley added. “He wants to be a life-saver — just like the hospital has been for us.”
The charity helps seriously ill children have fuller childhoods and to have fun.
Its chief executive Louise Parkes said: “Ezra’s family have shared their story for our campaign to spotlight the impact that serious illness can have on childhoods.
“We do everything we can to give these children the best childhood possible. But there is so much more we need to do — no childhood should be lost to illness as they grow up.”
The charity has been transforming children’s lives since 1852 but has always had to rely on public support to give youngsters in hospital the best childhood possible.
Wellwishers can find out more on the charity’s “gosh.org” website.
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