This past shabbat, we had the pleasure not only of a lovely Bat Mitzvah celebration, but also, a guest speaker, Bill Begal, who spoke on the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation. He sent the following note to us, and you can find links to more information, Please come to be tested as a potential donor!
A Note to the Tikvat Israel Community from Bill Begal, Chairman of the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation:
I want to thank Rabbi Gorin and the Tikvat Israel Social Action Committee for allowing me a few moments this past Shabbat to share thoughts and experiences about the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation and my friend, Jay Feinberg.
Many people came up to me and shared they were tested for Jay or for Allison Atlas, so they need not be tested again.
The more appropriate approach is if you have not received any email, USPS mail or other information in the past 1 – 2 years, then you are not in a registry. If so, then please come and be “swabbed” next Sunday.
A donor circle will be created to track all who participate next Sunday. Every time a “match ” is made from the people swabbed, an email will go out notifying all what happened, a very trackable way of seeing the return on investment.
Even if you are “too old or too young” to be swabbed, you may still assist. Tell a friend, tell 2 friends!!
As we learn from Pirke Avot, “You are not obliged to finish the task, neither are you free to neglect it.” (2:21)
Please share with everyone you know that this is a community event and everyone is welcome. Thank you again to all of you in advance for making this a success.
B’shalom,
Bill BegalP.S. For more information about the drive at Tikvat Israel next Sunday, read the poster below. For more information about the Gift of Life Foundation, click here. Thank you.
