Most 6.5-year-olds are busy learning to ride bikes, dreaming of superheroes, or chasing after friends on the playground. Their days are filled with laughter, boundless energy, and the simple joys of childhood. They look forward to birthday parties, ice cream treats, and bedtime stories. For them, the world is a safe, wondrous place, and the biggest challenge might be learning to tie their shoes or conquering the monkey bars at recess.
But for Eli Itcher from Beit Shemesh, life looks dramatically different. Diagnosed with kidney cancer just months before the recent wave of terror attacks in Israel, Eli’s days are filled with hospital visits, chemotherapy treatments, and moments of pain and exhaustion. His dreams have been replaced by long nights in hospital beds, and the sound of rockets falling adds to the constant fear and uncertainty that already clouds his young life.
Eli’s journey began with something no parent wants to hear: the alarming words from a doctor confirming the worst fear. Bruria and Yaakov Itcher, Eli’s parents, had noticed the signs – the fatigue, the pain, the inexplicable symptoms that just wouldn’t go away. Then came the diagnosis, the whirlwind of medical jargon, and the immediate shift into survival mode.
In many ways, the Itchers are fighting two battles: one against the aggressive cancer that threatens their son’s life, and the other against the chaos outside, where rockets and sirens have become part of their daily soundtrack.
“It’s hard to understand why this is happening,” says Bruria, Eli’s mother. “He’s so brave, but he should be playing with his brothers, not fighting cancer. Every day, we just try to stay strong for him and take it one step at a time.”
Eli recently underwent a grueling 12-hour surgery to remove a tumor from his kidney. The surgery was complicated, and the recovery has been anything but easy. While other children his age are running around, climbing trees, and starting school, Eli faces weekly chemotherapy sessions that leave him weak and tired. He has missed out on the milestones that make childhood magical, replaced by medical procedures and the constant concern etched on his parents’ faces.
Adding to their worries, Bruria and Yaakov now face mounting medical bills and a growing pile of everyday expenses. Bruria, who has had to cut back on her work hours drastically to be by Eli’s side, struggles to balance caring for Eli with managing a household in a time of national crisis. Yaakov, juggling his studies at the Kollel and his responsibilities at home, faces the pressure of providing for a family that is under tremendous emotional and financial strain.
But amid the darkness, there is a light. The Itchers have been buoyed by the love and support of their community. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers have stepped forward to offer help, whether through meals, prayers, or donations. It’s this kindness that keeps them going, knowing they are not alone in their fight.
“Eli has taught us all so much about courage,” Bruria shares. “He faces each day with a smile, even when he’s tired or scared. He inspires us to keep going.”
The Itchers’ story is a reminder of the power of community and the strength found in unity. In Proverbs 11:25, it says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Now, more than ever, is a time to refresh those who need it most. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, has a ripple effect.
As the Itcher family navigates this unimaginable journey, they are calling on the community once again to help them make it through. A small donation can make a big difference—covering medical costs, helping with day-to-day expenses, or simply easing the burden of a family in distress.
Eli is a little boy with a big fight ahead of him. He should be playing with his brothers, exploring, and enjoying his childhood, not battling a life-threatening illness. Yet, in his young life, he has already shown incredible bravery and resilience. And while he fights on, we have an opportunity to help lighten the load for his family.
If you feel moved to do so, consider supporting the Itchers in their struggle. Every little bit helps, and together, we can make a difference in the life of a young boy and his family during this difficult time.