Ezra is 21 months old, and has cancer...

In October of 2009, at only 14 months old, Ezra was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a cancer which affects the nervous system and generally starts from the adrenal gland, just above the kidney. He had a tumor which took up over 40% of his chest cavity. 

Over the past 7 months, he's gone through 6 rounds of chemotherapy and a barrage of scans, tests, procedures, and incessant poking and prodding. He's had his first words which included ones like "doctor," "medicine," "lines," "ouch," "tube," "shot," and "scrubs." In April, he had a successful 10 hour surgery to remove the tumor in his abdomen, which had shrunk 50%, to the size of a large egg. He has close to a hundred permanent titanium staples in him where they removed it, and where they had to remove one of his kidneys as well, which was fully involved with the tumor. 

In March, Ezra's mother gave birth to premature twins, at only 26 weeks. Full term is 40 weeks - the babies were born over 3 months early. Only a week later, one of the twins passed away from premature complications. The other twin, Charley, is in the NICU still, and will be until sometime in June. He will likely have some minor complications from being born so early, but is growing well in the NICU now. He has had to have heart surgery and brain surgery both to address issues from the premature birth, but is stable and developing normally now. 

Ezra's next step is stem cell transplant, which he will be undergoing within the next week. This is a 4-6 week minimum hospital stay in a HEPA-filtered isolation room. He and his parents will be living there while he's tied to a set of IV tubes and has his immune system destroyed and rebuilt as a final step before he's officially in remission. Months of after-care follow to ensure the cancer stays gone. 

It's a long process, and he's nearing the end of one chapter but has much left to endure. Ezra's smile and peppy attitude are constant, and everyone who meets him can't help but smile when they see him. He's put up with more before he hits 2 years old than many people deal with over decades. His prognosis is good, and one day this will all be an inspiring story he can tell to his own children. 

At Negri Electronics we believe that giving back is an essential part of business. We have chosen to donate to Ezra's cause. We are asking for you to help. Every penny that you donate will be given to Ezra Matthews to assist in the expenses of every day life. We will also be donating a percentage of all sales for the rest of 2010. We aren't asking you to donate your entire paycheck, we are asking for anything you can give. Please see it in your heart to help. Your giving helps a family whose attention is scattered between so many thoughts and emotions, and they could use all the help they can get to keep life moving while everything stops as they take care of their little boys. You can donate below via Credit Card through PayPal (You don't need a PayPal account - if you don't have one, on the screen it directs you to, just press "continue" on the left side where it says Don't have a PayPal account?, and you can use any bank account or card), or if you would like to send a check you can make the check to Ezra David Matthews and mail to: 8772 US HWY 51 North, Minocqua, WI 54548.

All of us at Negri Electronics are sincerely grateful for all of your support.

Ryan J Negri - CEO
Negri Electronics
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You can follow Ezra and his progress and updates at CarePages.com.
(Click the logo below to be redirected to his page)

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