Chen knew the rules. But it didn’t matter. If she were to be expelled, so be it. This was more important. The Officer’s Course was difficult. Expulsion would mea
n starting from the beginning next term- a lot of unnecessary work. It may even mean a negative report on her record.
But on the other side of the scale was a three-year-old boy’s life. And she was the only one who could save him. His last chance was a bone marrow transplant. And she was the sole DNA match.
When Chen had enlisted into the IDF, she joined Ezer Mizion’s Bone Marrow Registry, never expecting to actually be called. But she was called. In the middle of a grueling Officer’s Course. According to the official Training Base 1 rules, a cadet who misses a certain number of training days is required to appear before an expulsion committee. Expulsion. Serious business. And she had been doing so well up until now.
She tried to imagine the boy. A tiny tot. Mischievous eyes. Probably terrified of all the hospital paraphernalia. Being held by his mommy as the staff inserted an IV. Maybe dreaming of being a doctor when he grows up. Or perhaps with dreams of growing up to be a policeman or fireman. Then she pictured him actually grown up—with a wife and small boy of his own- her ‘grandchild’, sort of. But only if she went ahead with the bone marrow transplant. If she did, he would have a future. If she didn’t,…
Yes, she would do it. The Officer’s Course would wait if need be. And so she made the appointment to register at the hospital for preparatory treatment.
Chen was fortunate. The Training Base 1 commander, Colonel Avi Gil, decided: “There are rules, and there are exceptions to the rule, and your situation unquestionably falls into the latter category.” Chen breathed a sigh of relief. Then he continued: “I think that a good officer must, first and foremost, be a good human being. The sense of fulfillment that comes with saving a life is tremendous. At the IDF we are proud of this partnership with Ezer Mizion is saving lives.”
Not only did Chen receive her certification, she was also awarded the title of “Exceptional Cadet”. In heaven she certainly also received an award: Exceptional Human Being.
