[COMMUNICATED]
“Sara Cohen”, a mother of 6 living in Tel Tzion, a frum yishuv in Eretz Yisrael, says “Cancer is not just a deadly disease afflicting the body, but it also torments “healthy” family members and destroys their lives. She knows firsthand. Two years ago her son, 5 year “Moshe”, was diagnosed with the dreaded disease and was hospitalized in Yerushalayim. Sara had to give up her job because she was required to be at his bedside during the day. Since Tel Tzion doesn’t have direct buses to the hospital, she would have to transfer several times before arriving. In the night, when bus services stop, she often needed to take an expensive taxi ride home. Transportation was expensive for the newly unemployed mother and drained of any strength she needed for her family, leaving her with no time to make breakfast, do homework with her kids, or get them ready for school.
Her husband “Yaakov” now had to take care of 5 kids alone, including the two youngest who aren’t yet in  school, and was on the verge of losing his job.  The family was approaching total collapse, until a neighbor, a cancer survivor, told them about Darchei Miriam, an organization which had previously saved his life by paying for his life saving medicine not covered by national insurance. Yaakov made one call to Darchei Miriam and they took care of the rest.
To save them the time and money they no longer had, Darchei Miriam organized for them private transportation. Without three bus rides each way to the hospital, Sara had more strength. When she came home late at night, she was able to cook for the next day. She was able now to get more sleep and wake up in the morning to get her kids to school. The kids still needed their mom and having more time with her made a big difference in their lives.
Instead of Yaakov having to quit his job, Darchei Miriam paid for babysitters so he could continue to work. To make up for Sara’s lost income, the organization gave the family gift certificates for the grocery store.
Sara could now devote her time to Moshe, advocating for him with the doctors. Because she was more well rested and alert, she noticed a deadly oversite the doctors were making. By pointing it out, she saved Moshe’s life. He was able to return home over a year ago and today, the family is flourishing and grateful for this wonderful organization.
Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky has expressed his public support for Darchei Miriam and extends his blessing to all those who donate that they should merit material abundance, contentment and that no member of their household should become ill.  To learn more about Darchei Miriam’s crucial work, click here.
Names have been changed for the families’ privacy