Toddler diagnosed with rare cancer after flu symptoms

By Ben Barry

A two-year-old boy who was diagnosed with rare liver cancer after flu-like symptoms - received a life-saving organ transplant from his aunt.

In February 2025, Crew's mother, Nicole Dearth, 41, noticed what seemed like the flu - including a high fever and fatigue.

A paediatrician first suspected an ear infection, but his swollen, bloated stomach led to further tests. By March 2025, scans and blood work confirmed stage 4 hepatoblastoma - a rare liver cancer.

He was referred to Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, where he began intensive chemotherapy and remained under close monitoring for three months.

The cancer cleared from his lungs, and the liver tumor shrank, but its location meant he still needed a transplant.

Crew was placed on the transplant list, for a living donor, and his aunt Taylor, 34, volunteered, completed testing, and the transplant took place on June 30, 2025.

The surgery was successful, and by September 2025, scans showed no remaining cancer.

Nicole, a nurse, from Clyde, Ohio, said: "We just could not believe our baby had cancer.

"We were stunned. We were shocked.

"If I was standing up, I would have fell to the ground. I can't even describe what we were feeling the day we found out."

After noticing that Crew had come down with what she thought was the flu, she noticed that he also had a “swollen and bloated” stomach.

Crew's paediatrician thought Crew had an ear infection, but when that was ruled out, Nicole scheduled a follow-up appointment.

“He seemed very restless and cranky, which isn’t like him at all. A few days before the appointment, I also noticed his stomach changing. It seemed swollen and bloated,” said Nicole.

An ultrasound revealed Crew had an enlarged liver as well as a mass in his abdomen. Based on these findings and his blood test results, Nicole says they were referred to the Cleveland Clinic Children’s.

Further testing - including a CT and MRI scan, and biopsy - confirmed that Crew had had hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer affecting roughly one to two children per million in the U.S.

Stefanie Thomas, MD, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist, said: “The cancer involved all the lobes of Crew’s liver, and since it had spread to his lungs, he was diagnosed with stage 4 hepatoblastoma.

"He was facing the most aggressive form of the disease."

Crew immediately started chemotherapy, and Crew was heading in the right direction.

Scans showed no signs of cancer remaining in his lungs, and the tumour in his liver shrank. But because of the tumour’s location, Crew would ultimately need a liver transplant as well.

Crew was placed on the transplant waiting list, and one option being considered was a living liver donor, who could donate a portion of their liver.

Although Nicole volunteered to be Crew’s donor, she wasn’t the first choice because his doctors prioritised her as a caregiver. But when Crew’s aunt Taylor learned he needed a transplant, she knew she wanted to be his donor.

Mom-of-three Taylor Dearth of Huron, Ohio, said: “I felt like I was meant to be the one to do this for him.

"I’ve always wanted to help people and do something really meaningful, so to get the chance to do this for someone close to me made it so special.

"Crew’s diagnosis resonated with me even more because my youngest child is only 12 days older than Crew."

After undergoing a thorough testing process, doctors determined Taylor was a match for Crew. Their transplant surgery date was set for June 30, 2025.

Both procedures were successful; however, Crew’s treatment wasn’t over just yet. To take care of any remaining cancer cells, he underwent three more rounds of chemotherapy.

In September 2025, Crew completed his treatment, and scans showed there was no evidence of cancer - so Crew got to ring the bravely bell to celebrate.

“I honestly didn't know if we would ever see that day. We were feeling pure joy and happiness. The transplant was a success, and we were finally done with chemo,” said Nicole.

“Being an organ donor is the most selfless, incredible thing anyone could do for someone, and a lot of people don’t realize the possibility of living organ donation.

"When I tell people my sister-in-law donated a portion of her liver, they're like, ‘Wow, you can do that?’ Her gift to us is the reason Crew’s thriving today."

Moving forward, Crew’s care team will continue to closely monitor his health after the transplant and watch for signs of cancer recurrence. Nicole says Crew has since regained his strength and now enjoys playing with his three siblings and two dogs.

“Crew is sweet, loving and happy – you honestly wouldn’t even know he's been through so much. He’s just your typical busy toddler trying to get into some trouble,” says Nicole.