DNA match – Ezer Mizion

Mazel Tov! We’ve Reached 1,000,000!

Because of your generosity, Ezer Mizion, world’s largest Jewish registry, has reached the MILLION MARK! What does that mean? The success of a bone marrow transplant is dependent on the genetic match between donor and recipient. With Israel’s wide range of ethnic groups, many of them IDF recruits, we have succeeded in amassing a registry of ONE MILLION potential donors. These registrants are of highly varied genetic makeup so that when a cancer patient is in need of a bone marrow transplant, the chances of finding a DNA match in time, before it’s too late, are very good! However, there are still many who wait in hope and prayer for the match that will mean LIFE and we will not stop enlarging the registry until until every single request received from any part of the world can be answered with a triumphant, YES! WE HAVE A MATCH!

DONATE-TODAY-BUTTON-3 — Each genetic test costs $50. Your gift will help save lives.

Now That’s A Birthday Gift!

pr bmr Yakov-Avishai — My stem cells saved Avishai!

It’s funny. We’re so happy to have our family members that when one of them has a birthday, we give him a gift. Shouldn’t we instead be giving a gift in gratitude to the One who gave us a family? Like Yaakov did? Continue reading Now That’s A Birthday Gift!

A Thank You Note from Italy

map of Italy — Italy is one of many countries around the globe whose oncology clinics contact Ezer Mizion to facilitate the transplant that will save the lives of Jewish patients.

Dear Sirs,

My name is Annalisa T. I am writing from Italy to thank with all my heart the Israeli donor who will try to save the life of my husband Mr Luca B: he will receive a bone marrow transplant between the end of April and the beginning of May at the hospital of Santa Chiara in Pisa, Italy. He is fighting, since May 2017, against a LLA (Leukemia). Continue reading A Thank You Note from Italy

The Boeing Corporation Saves Lives

Can one even begin to imagine the helplessness of being in a plane thousands of feet in the air when the plane is no longer responding to the control mechanisms? You – a tiny speck in the vast sky – and the hitherto dependable controls now no more than bits of disconnected metal and plastic… alone… exposed…powerless. David Ivry, former Israel Ambassador to the United States, the ninth commander of the Israel Air Force and the first director of the Israel’s National Security Council was a man used to being in control. Yet, he tells of his experience in the scenario described above. “It seemed to be all over. Then I remembered I had one chance: the ejection seat. I used it and I was saved.” Continue reading The Boeing Corporation Saves Lives

A Bone Marrow Transplant between Strangers or Perhaps…

people helping people around globe — New registrants for Ezer Mizion’s International Bone Marrow Registry whose ancestors hailed from all over the globe.

Imagine having an airplane view of the entire world. Not only the world but of generations. What would you see? You’d immediately notice the hubbub in America as Ezer Mizion launches a nationwide campaign to raise funds to sponsor genetic testing for thousands of new potential donors to register at its Bone Marrow Registry. The money pours in. You all give so generously. The funds are transferred to Israel to pay for the cost of the testing. The genetic data of these young men and women is entered to remain on the database for decades.

Now your eyes flit to the right and you see sadness. Such sadness. Continue reading A Bone Marrow Transplant between Strangers or Perhaps…

45 Years of Tears: The Bone Marrow Transplant that Never Was

pr phone — “Where were you 45 years ago when my son needed a bone marrow transplant?”

At Ezer Mizion’s busy office, the phone does not stop ringing. At times, it is the ubiquitous telemarketing call. Other calls may be requesting information about the bone marrow registry. Some calls can be as brief as several sentences but leave the staff member stunned. Like this one received by Chani :

“Where were you 45 years ago? When my son needed a bone marrow transplant? I took my two daughters to be tested at UCLA but they were not a genetic match.” Then her voice faltered, “Before we could try more people, my son— my son—- my son died.” Her voice broke but she tried to continue speaking, “I want to give you a donation. Your organization is so important. I only wish it had been in existence 45 years ago. Perhaps he could have received a bone marrow transplant. Perhaps he could have been saved.” She was overcome by tears and hung up the phone. The pain of losing a child does not disappear, even after 45 yrs. Continue reading 45 Years of Tears: The Bone Marrow Transplant that Never Was

What Goes Around, Comes Around

helping hands — Helping another makes the world go ’round

It’s been said many times. Help others when you can. It’s a chessed. It’s the right thing to do. And, in addition, you never know when you may be on the other side of the fence. Batya is proof of this. About fifteen years ago, her daughter’s kidney issues that she had suffered with since the age of twelve reached a new low and only a kidney transplant could save her. Batya and her son were both good matches but Batya insisted that she be the one to donate. Her son has his whole life ahead of him. Should anything go wrong, she felt she could never forgive herself. Shortly after the transplant, her daughter gave birth to the first of two adorable grandchildren for Batya to cuddle and spoil. Imagine, a few days of discomfort and Batya earned grandchildren, great-grandchildren…eternity.

Matching DNA for a successful transplant

All was wonderful in her world until fifteen years later when Batya found herself on the other side of the fence. Continue reading What Goes Around, Comes Around

Ezer Mizion Bone Marrow Registry: Many of You Have Asked…

Does Ezer Mizion provide transplants to Israel residents only?

Ezer Mizion receives Search Requests from oncology clinics around the globe. DNA matching is based on ethnics. As the largest Jewish Registry in the world, Ezer Mizion is the natural address for an oncology clinic working with a Jewish patient in Europe, Russia, South Africa, South America, Australia, Canada and the US.

In April 2017, 14 of 31 transplants were done for Israeli residents and 17 for countries around the world including 6 in US and Canada.

Did the partnership with the IDF create any significant change in the success of finding DNA matches?

Due to IDF recruits being young and healthy, they remain on the database for decades, thus greatly increasing the chances of eventually being found to be a match for a patient. In addition, they come from highly varied backgrounds resulting in much increased representation among minority ethnic groups.

IDF celebratino 2016 b — IDF recruit being congratulated on his saving a life

In April 2017, 18 of the 21 transplants funded by donor pools are IDF recruits, some having been inducted and joined the registry just a few months ago.

How long, on the average, does it take for a new Bone Marrow Donor Pool to receive the at long awaited letter: You have saved a life!

There can, of course, be no guarantees. In April of 2017, 4 of the 21 transplants funded by donor pools were opened within the last half year.

Like to Partner with Ezer Mizion to Save Lives?

Ezer Mizion and The IDF: A Life-Saving Partnership

pr bmr machine w bags 1489_ne_photo_stories2_e8667 — Stem Cell Harvesting

In recent years, a bone marrow transplant has been proven to be the cure for a myriad of diseases. Many forms of cancer including leukemia and lymphoma in addition to other diseases such as sickle cell anemia and SCID are only some of the life-threatening illnesses that have bowed to its power. Like penicillin, a bone marrow transplant can save lives. But unlike penicillin, it cannot simply be purchased at the local pharmacy.

WHY NOT? Continue reading Ezer Mizion and The IDF: A Life-Saving Partnership

A Bone Marrow Registry Nightmare: He Said No!

Image result for clip art podium — Avigayil continues her profession with cancer a thing of the past

Avigayil has successfully trained many in public speaking as head of TED, a worldwide organization whose website attracts viewers that number into the millions. She is passionate about her profession and believes anyone can speak publicly if he is excited about his topic. One would assume that if Avigayil were to take the podium herself, Public Speaking would be her focus. But she says otherwise. “There is something I am even more enthusiastic about. In fact, if it were not for that subject, I would not be here today. What is it? It’s leukemia.

Continue reading A Bone Marrow Registry Nightmare: He Said No!