To the kindergarten, she does not go and she does not even complain about that. Instead of a ponytail or curls sweeping down her shoulders, her head is hairless, bald and glossy. Her parents, who remain at the hospital by her bed, have lost their jobs and they are not breadwinners any more. The Barel family counts five children: another three brothers, Shira and her twin brother. They are all hoping and waiting, and praying for a miracle. Her given name is SHIRA and her family name is BAREL, and she is only three years old.
The BAREL family had a happy and peaceful life, the father, the mother and five sweet little children.
Like in all the stories, it began suddenly one day when their daughter Shira did not feel well. At the beginning, they thought that this is one of the usual kids’ sicknesses, until the worst possible blow came down on them unexpectedly. Shira was diagnosed as suffering from brain cancer and she was only three.
Ever since then, their lives have changed from one extreme to the other. Her father remains by her bedside at the Pediatric Oncology Department at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center of Tel Hashomer, Israel, and as a result, he has been obliged to resign from his work.
Whereas his wife is torn between the visits to the hospital and caring for the four little ones remaining at home.
A few weeks ago, Shira underwent a brain operation. After a difficult recovery, the malignant brain tumor reemerged with metastasis spreading to the spinal cord. Now Shira needs a treatment based on medication, which is quite expensive and the Barel family does not know, from where they
will get the money.
Her father says : “She is so little and so sweet, she does not understand why so many instruments are connected to her body and what for. She wants to have fun in a playground and enjoy herself like all the kids of her age.”
In the near future, the Barel Family will be obliged to evacuate their apartment: because of their difficult financial situation, they cannot raise payment for the rent. Furthermore, they have to fund from their own pocket the expensive medicines, which are not included in the Health Benefits Package and for which they have to foot the bill. And to do that they have been borrowing from everyone and anyone, especially since they have both lost their jobs and thus have been left without any source of income and soon also without an abode…
In the coming days, “THE HASDEI NAOMI” ORGANIZATION volunteers will start a benevolent campaign during which they will try to mobilize the public to donate in order to save the life of SHIRA BAREL.
There are various ways to contribute:
By sending an “SMS” message with the words “Donation to number 2288”
Visiting the secure site: www.shirab.co.il
Calling the free number: 1-800-677-777
The donations are a recognized tax-deductible expense as per paragraph 46 of the Tax Regulations.