Honda Heroes: Help For Baby Samy

As the global pandemic has brought-about new challenges in all of our daily lives, Rugby Canada and Honda, have partnered to scour the Canadian rugby community, looking to shine a light on those making a difference in a world where Covid-19 has presented unthinkable odds. These individuals are Honda Heroes, and this month we are delighted to highlight a very special cause. Aziz Elfara is an avid rugby lover and member of Parc Olympique Rugby - one of Quebec’s premiere rugby clubs - though his greatest love and priority comes down to his young son, Samy.

For more than 16 months, the Elfara family have been living a rollercoaster of extreme emotions, as Samy has an extremely rare syndrome called ROIFMAN. Since his birth, Samy has had countless follow-ups at Ste-Justine Hospital, Marie Enfant Rehabilitation Center, Toronto SickKids Hospital, as well as Shriners Hospital. Samy is the only diagnosed individual in Quebec, and there are only about 10 known cases in Canada. The syndrome attacks several systems of the body including the immune system, bones (bone dysplasia), eyesight, motor development, and cognitive development. Due to ROIFMAN, Samy will have to rely on immunoglobulin transfusions weekly for his entire life.

Earlier this year, Samy’s immunologist expressed great concern about a possible shortage of plasma, given the declining number of donors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As ROIFMAN is an orphan disease, no funds are available for research, and the Elfara family are on a race against time to help Samy. Blood and plasma donations are of the upmost importance, as they can help save lives and diagnose syndromes like Samy’s. With the help of blood and plasma donations, there are a team of doctors and researchers who are ready to help, as gene therapy is a possibility and has just made headway in France.

The Elfara family’s goal is to help fundraise for the CHU Ste-Justine Foundation so they can continue their research. While $25,000 is required to start the research, the team estimates the costs necessary to complete the research project to be around $100,000. 

Recently, members of the rugby community in Quebec joined forces to donate plasma all across the Province. You can help the Elfara family’s battle to help little Samy by generously doing one, or both of the following:

1. Make a donation of blood or plasma, by visiting Canadian Blood Services. Click HERE to find the nearest donor centre.
2. Make a donation to the CHU Ste-Justine Foundation, which is responsible for collecting and attributing the funds for research on Samy's syndrome. A receipt for income tax purposes will be provided. No matter the amount, in the end all amounts will make a difference. Click HERE to donate

No matter how you help, either by donating blood or giving funds for research, the Elfara family will be extremely grateful! Let’s all step up and display our rugby values by helping the Elfara family during this most uncertain and difficult time.

If you know someone in the Canadian rugby community who is making a difference during the pandemic, they may be our next Honda Hero. Please submit your nominee to: media@rugby.ca, with short explanation of how they're helping their community during this global pandemic for a chance to be featured!

Click HERE to watch this month's episode of Honda Heroes!