Leizer's Trans Atlantic Flight Transfer
Shturem
It's a peaceful night in the Galperin household in Kiryat Malachi. R' Shmuel, the devoted father, is working as a night watchman, while Devora Leah lovingly puts the children to bed, and then turns to her pile of mending. All is silent, as the children are asleep.
Suddenly, there is a hiss of flames, and black curls of smoke burst out from the children's bedroom. Little Leizer's bed is surrounded by fire! The terrified child wakes up, screaming in pain and fear. ''Ima! Save me! Help!''
The other three children, on the far side of the room, are rescued by their mother, but Leizer….five year old Leizer is trapped. His cries grow weaker. ''Ima! I can't breathe! It's hot!''
Terrified, Devora tries to reach him once again, but she cannot pass the hellish flames. Alerted by the screams, a brave young neighbor bursts into the room and grabs the burning child through the fall of flames, rushing him out to safety.
Sirens wail hysterically as little Leizer, barely conscious and burned on almost 90% of his body, is rushed to Tel Hashomer Hospital. The doctors shake their head, doubting the child can survive…
But the parents don't give up hope. They ask for a second opinion…. then a third. Rabbi Elimelech Firer of Ezra L'marpeh recommends Shriner's Hospital for Children in Cincinnati, a leader in burn care, with the world renowned burn specialist Dr Richard Kagan M.D., Chief of the Division of Burn Surgery.
As Leizer was fighting for his life, a difficult transfer had to be arranged. Rabbi Isaac Leider of VitalOne stepped in, once again making the impossible possible and making all logistical arrangements. At last, the El-Al plane, with airborne ICU, arrived at Newark Airport, where Rabbi Leider was waiting. An air ambulance jet with highly trained pediatric ICU doctors flew Leizer to Cincinnati, where the medical team was waiting. Time was of the essence.
Due to the diligent efforts of Rabbi Leider and his team, the medical plane was given clearance, ahead of several jumbo jets, and it arrived at Shriner's Hospital in record time. Dr. Kagan took the precious child under his care. The rest is up to the Ribono Shel Olam and His messengers.
This life-saving flight, with all its technical details and logistics, was coordinated by VitalOne at a cost of $50,000. But how can one talk about money when a precious human life is at stake?
Innocent little Leizer, full of life and joy one moment, clinging to life the next while suffering excruciating pain. Dare we give up hope on this little tzaddik?
His devoted parents have left their other children behind to accompany him, for what could be years of grueling treatments. In the meantime, their home is burned to the ground. They are homeless, penniless, and struggling to remain sane amidst so much suffering.
Dare we turn our backs on their pain? How can we ignore the terrified screams of a five year old child, crying, ''Ima, save me!''
Concerned askanim are desperately trying to raise the funds to cover the transport and other medical expenses. Your generosity can make all the difference. Think of precious Leizer and his sweet, innocent smile. With your help, he will smile again one day, with Hashem's miraculous cure.
Online donations can be made at:
http://www.kerentzdaka.org/contents.asp?aid=41764
http://www.vitalone.org/Air_BoyBurned.html
תוקן על ידי איןבעיה ב- 09/07/2010 16:27:29
