As reported by Vesty.co.il., Gavriel Leibel, who was diagnosed with leukemia about a year ago, will continue to live thanks to Aaron Katsin, a New York native who is currently serving in the IDF.
The repatriate has agreed to become a bone marrow donor for a person completely unacquainted with him.
This week, Leibel, who holds a high post in the Ministry of Regional Development and participates in the Dead Sea rescue project, first met with his savior, who is also an activist of the voluntary organization Ezer mi-Zion.
61-year-old Gavriel said that he learned about his illness during a routine physical examination. "When the results of the blood test came, they gave me a referral to the hospital, where they finally confirmed the diagnosis, I went through two courses of chemotherapy, but soon it became clear that there was no hope for recovery without a bone marrow transplantation," Leibel said.
For his happiness, a suitable donor was soon found - 20-year-old Aaron Katsin. "I was taking the course of a young fighter when I got a call from the organization" Ezer Mi-Zion. "There was no time for reflection, and the man needed help urgently." Actually, there was nothing to think about, "he said. Aaron also added that he immigrated to Israel with one goal - to help the Jewish country and its people.
 
"I feel the blood of Aaron in my, we became one blood, I'm alive only because of this guy," Leibel explained.
 
According to the man, it was very important for him to meet with his savior. Now he considers Aaron and his family his blood relatives.
 
It should be reminded that the donor bone marrow bank was created by the organization "Ezer mi-Zion" ten years ago. Today it includes 865,625 potential donors. During this time, 2,569 people were assisted.