Just a year after undergoing a life-saving stem cell transplant, 11-year-old Ezra has achieved something extraordinary – completing a HYROX Youngstars challenge alongside his best friend Alfie, raising over £5,000 for charities that supported him through his cancer diagnosis, including Pasic.
Back in late 2024, what seemed like a minor illness quickly turned into something far more serious for Ezra. After feeling nauseous for a couple of weeks and losing his usual appetite, a routine blood test led to an urgent hospital call that same evening. Ezra was diagnosed with leukaemia, later confirmed as Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).
From that moment, life changed overnight.
Ezra, a sporty and energetic boy, suddenly faced months of intensive hospital treatment. Admitted at the end of November, he spent most of the following five months in hospital, undergoing chemotherapy and eventually a stem cell transplant.
For his family, the experience was incredibly challenging. Living in Northampton while Ezra received treatment in Nottingham and Sheffield meant long periods apart. His parents alternated between hospital and home, supporting Ezra while also caring for his sister. At times, they saw each other for only a few hours a week.
Despite everything, they remained strong as a unit, determined to stay positive through what they describe as a “living nightmare.”
Throughout their journey, Pasic was there from the very beginning.
“The charity have been a real comfort to us,” Ezra’s mum Sophie shared. “They were the first to speak to us when we arrived in Nottingham, and they’ve helped us create lovely memories together as a family.”
One moment that stands out is a special trip to Alton Towers shortly after Ezra was discharged from hospital. After months spent apart during treatment, the day gave the family a chance to simply be together again – something they will never forget.
Now, one year on from his transplant, Ezra is doing “amazingly well.” In fact, he was back playing football and rugby just four months after treatment.
To mark this milestone, Ezra and Alfie decided to take on the HYROX Youngstars challenge.
The boys, who have been best friends since starting school together, are united by their love of sport. During Ezra’s treatment, Alfie was a constant source of support. He travelled regularly to visit him in hospital and, in a powerful show of solidarity, shaved his head when Ezra lost his hair. Several of their football teammates joined in too, shaving their heads together over FaceTime.
Even while Ezra was in hospital, the pair stayed connected. Using a specialist robot that sat in his classroom, Ezra could join lessons remotely – with the robot positioned right next to Alfie so they could still chat during the day.
“Alfie has been a rock,” Ezra’s mum said. “He’s like our third child.”
Their decision to take on HYROX was driven by a shared desire to give back to the charities that had supported Ezra and his family. While they trained beforehand, nothing quite prepared them for the intensity of the real event – moving quickly between challenges with no rest.
But, true to form, they took it all in their stride.
“The boys were incredible,” Ezra’s mum said. “They did it all in such a good time.”
Together, they raised an impressive £5,109 for four charities, including Pasic.
Looking ahead, Ezra is dreaming big – with ambitions of becoming a rugby player one day, or perhaps working for Adidas.
It’s amazing when children we’ve supported, who have been through so much, choose to fundraise for Pasic once their treatment has ended. It’s so special to see them want to help other children going through cancer, just like they did. A huge well done to both Ezra and Alfie for this remarkable achievement.
Harriet Bettany, Pasic Head of Fundraising
