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Heroic Lone Soldier Saves Life of Massachusetts Doctor Through Bone Marrow Donation
From Chicago to Petah Tikvah, a young Israeli soldier gives the gift of life to a Massachusetts physician battling leukemia.
In a moving display of compassion and connection, an IDF lone soldier from Chicago helped save the life of a Massachusetts doctor through a selfless bone marrow donation bridging continents and uniting lives through one powerful act.
Maya Ben Yitzhak, who made aliyah and serves in the IDF, had registered with Ezer Mizion’s bone marrow registry, one of the largest in the world. A simple cheek swab placed her on a list of over 1.3 million potential donors. On her birthday, Maya received news that she was a genetic match for a 64-year-old Jewish woman in the United States battling leukemia.
That woman was Dr. Amy Rothenberg, a practicing physician whose life hinged on finding the right donor match. The connection came just in time.
“I had the privilege of getting to know Amy, and we have an amazing connection,” Maya shared. “Being a part of this is a life-changing step. It’s the greatest gift I could have asked for my birthday.”
Dr. Rothenberg traveled all the way to Israel to meet her donor at the Ezer Mizion Cancer Center in Petah Tikvah. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she said, “When the doctor told me I had a match and she was in Israel, I said, ‘Wow, that’s amazing.’ I thank my donor every single day. She saved my life.”
Their meeting was emotional and heartfelt. Amy expressed astonishment that someone so young and from another part of the world would take the time and energy to save a stranger’s life. “That’s incredible,” she said. “Thank you very much for saying yes.”
Maya’s story is one of thousands made possible by Ezer Mizion, which not only leads in medical support but also stands as a testament to Israel’s ethos of giving and mutual responsibility. As a lone soldier, Maya represents the best of Israel’s values young people who come not only to defend, but to serve humanity in the fullest sense.
This beautiful story reminds us of the profound impact one person can make. Share Maya’s story and subscribe to our newsletter to discover more stories that celebrate the spirit of Israel.