Hi,

My name is “Sara Cohen” and I want to share with you an incredible story. We are a family of 8 living in Tel Tzion, a frum yishuv north of Yerushalayim. When my 5 year old Moishy was diagnosed with cancer, I felt the world around me collapsing. Little did I know that things were about to get worse; not just for Moishy but also my 5 other kids, husband and me.

My son was hospitalized in Yerushalayim. I had to give up my job to take care of him. Getting to the hospital involved three long bus and light rail rides, with two transfers; each way. During the later part of night when buses stopped working, the only way to get home was by an expensive taxi ride. In the best of times, that would be difficult, but without my income it was impossible.

Unfortunately, It wasn’t just the money. The endless transportation zapped me of my strength. I had no time to spend with my other 5 kids who needed their mother. I also wasn’t able to take care of their basic needs whether it was ensuring they had clean clothes everyday, making them breakfast and dinner or helping them with their homework. When my husband was on the verge of losing his job, because he had to take care of our kids, I knew our family was heading towards collapse with irreparable damage. I davened to Hashem and he answered me the next day.

My neighbor, himself a survivor of the “Dreaded disease” told us about a wonderful organization which saved his life. He needed life saving medicine not covered by national insurance. His not being able to afford it was a death sentence. Darchei Miriam paid for his medicine and today he is cancer free.

My husband called the organization, told them about our family’s imminent collapse and they told us not to worry about a thing. First, they provided me with free, private transportation to and from the hospital which relieved us of a major expense. More importantly, it gave me the strength I needed to be a better wife and mother to my family at home. I could sleep a little more with time in the morning to get my kids ready for school and make them breakfast. Having me at home made a big difference in their lives. It also meant I was more alert at the hospital. With my heightened focus, I noticed an oversight by the doctors which had potentially fatal consequences. My pointing this out saved my son’s life.

B’’H, my husband never had to quit his job because Darchei Miriam provided him with excellent babysitters. To make up our lost income from my not being able to work, the organization provided us with gift certificates for the grocery store. With all of the help they provided, we didn’t collapse: not emotionally and not financially. Best of all Moishy, now 7, is cancer free and flourishing!

Thousands of families like ours have been saved by Darchei Miriam. Until a cure or vaccine for cancer is found, this organization’s existence is of paramount importance to our community, though I pray that you never have to be in a position to make use of it. Rav Chaim Kanievsky, Shlita, gives a bracha that anyone who donates to Darchei Miriam should merit material abundance, contentment and that no member of their household shall become ill.

“Names” have been changed for the families’ privacy

Please give generously – our goal is to get 100 people to donate $500. Please join us if you can.

Tizku L’Mitzvos