A., a 21-year-old combat soldier in the Golani Reconnaissance Unit, shared an extraordinary story of heroism when he donated bone marrow to a 5-year-old girl battling leukemia. A. had enlisted in the IDF and, during the recruitment process at the military induction center (Bakum), provided a saliva sample for Hadassah Ein Kerem’s bone marrow registry. At the time, he had no idea that this simple act would one day make him a lifesaving donor. He received the emotional news of a genetic match with the girl just after returning from a military operation in Gaza.
Emergency Deployment to Gaza
“When I got out of Gaza, I got the call from Hadassah,” A. recalled. “I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of what it meant until I spoke with my family and they explained its significance.” He remembered that while engaged in military activity, he had been redeployed to Gaza. Upon learning he was a match, he informed his commander and received approval to leave for the medical procedure.
A Life-Saving Donation
The donation was carried out at Hadassah, where he underwent a safe and simple bone marrow extraction procedure involving a sample taken from the pelvic bone.
“The donation itself isn’t dangerous,” explained Prof. Reuven Or, a hematology specialist and director of Hadassah’s bone marrow donor registry. “Even though it’s a medical procedure, it can save the lives of patients—especially in cases like this, involving a young girl.”
A Donor from the Heart
The Hadassah registry, named after the late Eli Elkobi, has successfully located several IDF soldiers as suitable donors during the war. Some, like A., were summoned to donate. “Israel’s younger generation, particularly IDF soldiers, continue to show they are a generation that gives from the heart,” said Ofra Elkobi, manager of the Hadassah bone marrow registry.
A. is now recovering from the procedure and is feeling well.
“I feel great,” he said enthusiastically. “Knowing I saved someone’s life is something I can’t stop thinking about. It’s simply incredible.” He added that he hopes to meet the girl in the future, if her family chooses to arrange it.
The Act Doesn’t End Here
“After a short rest,” A. said, “I’m going back to my team and resuming my military service.”
