In their pleasant, well-kept home in Har Yonah, parents Tova and Moshe Ben Simone look reverently at their youngest son David, a handsome soldier who, without a moment’s hesitation, donated stem cells to save a life. “I look forward to the day when I can meet the person whose life I saved,” says David.
David Ben Simone from the Har Yonah section of Nazareth Ilith wanted to be a combat fighter. He even put up a battle in order to give what he considered the most he could for his country. In the end, it didn’t happen, and David, who will be released from the army in another half year, gave his all in the position where he did serve.
But, don’t be mistaken – David is a true fighter in a different arena – a life-saving arena. Like all soldiers in recent years, on the day of his recruitment to the IDF, as part of the chain of induction, David, too, gave a simple blood sample for the purpose of checking stem cell compatibility. About six months ago, Ezer Mizion called to tell him that he was found to be a match for a patient. The patient, a stranger whom David had never met, had only one chance to survive: a bone marrow transplant. If a DNA match was found in time, he would live. If not, … And David, among close to 700,000 potential donors, was that match. David could save his life with a donation of his stem cells. David was thrilled. He shared the news with his parents, his brothers, and his close friend. It was important to him to receive the blessing of his loved ones before taking this serious step. “I didn’t have any doubts at all,” David recalls. “I knew that I would make my contribution to society, to my people, with love and joy. Saving a life is a supreme value.”
“Last Friday, when the final determination indicated that I was a good match, a nurse came to the house and gave me injections for four days in order to increase stem cell production. Then I went with Ima and a friend to the Rambam Hospital. I was connected for a few hours to a machine, until the procedure was completed,” says David. Humble as he is, you can sense his tremendous pride in the donation.
My mother gave me the courage to do it, my friend gave me the strength, and I want to thank them both for being with me during this decision.
In another half a year, David will be released from the IDF. His term of service will be over but in the bloodstream of an unknown Jew there will flow the stem cells that he had donated, decades of life facilitated by this one selfless deed. On his desk stands a certificate of honor signed by Dr. Bracha Zisser and Chananya Chollak, Chairman of Ezer Mizion, praising his noble act.
For further info: www.ezermizion.org
