Merav’s hands, once busy crafting lessons for kindergarteners, now count out pills with practiced precision. “Between 5 to 21 a day,” she says, her voice steady but tired. These aren’t vitamins for growing children, but chemotherapy medication for her 19-year-old daughter, Talia.
In the Sigron household, nestled in the small town of Brukhin in Judea and Samaria, life revolves around a schedule dictated by blood tests, hospital visits, and constant vigilance against infection. It’s a far cry from the life they knew just eighteen months ago, before a bout of flu-like symptoms revealed a diagnosis that would change everything: leukemia.
Merav and her husband Shalom are parents to five children, ranging from Talia to little Shira, barely past her first birthday. Their home, once filled with the typical chaos of a large family, now hums with a different kind of energy – one of determination, worry, and hope.
“You just live day by day,” Merav explains, her eyes reflecting both exhaustion and resolve. “You can’t organize anything. You can’t say to the kids, ‘Okay, in one week we go to a hotel, we go on a trip.’ You can’t promise anything because you don’t know what will be tomorrow.”
The Meravs’ story is one of sudden upheaval and gradual adaptation. Shalom continues his work in the security department of the Prime Minister’s office but often finds himself called away at odd hours. Merav has left her beloved teaching job, dedicating herself fully to Talia’s care and keeping the family afloat.
Their other children – Renana, 17; Yuval, 14; Hallely, 12; and baby Shira – have had to adapt too. They’ve learned to be more independent, to understand why mom and dad can’t always be there, and why plans change at a moment’s notice.
Financial strain is a constant companion. “I think everyone can understand what it means when you have five kids and one of the parents doesn’t work,” Merav says, her voice matter-of-fact but tinged with worry. Yet, amidst the struggle, there are moments of profound gratitude.
Merav speaks of friends who’ve become family, taking in her children during long hospital stays, ensuring they’re fed and cared for. She talks about the strength they draw from their faith and community, and the hope they find in each small victory.
The toll on the family has been significant. Merav recounts six-month hospital stays, being separated from her other children, including newborn Shira. She describes the uncertainty that now colors their days – the constant readiness to rush to the hospital at the first sign of fever.
Yet, in the midst of this struggle, there are moments of light. Merav expresses gratitude for the treatment options available for leukemia, finding hope in the high survival rates. “If we need this journey, thanks to God that it’s leukemia, that there’s medicine, they know how to take care, there’s almost 90% to get out of this cancer,” she says, her faith providing a beacon of hope.
Looking to the future, the Meravs dream of normalcy. They hope to catch up on missed schoolwork, address the emotional needs of all their children, and see Merav return to work. Most of all, they look forward to a time when hospital visits become less frequent and Talia’s health is restored.
“We really want to go back to normal life,” Merav says, allowing herself to look towards the future. The Sigrons are hopeful for the time when the family can once again plan and dream without the shadow of illness looming over them.
As the sun sets over Brukhin, the Merav family settles in for another evening. There are pills to be counted, homework to be checked, and always, always, love to be shared. Their journey is far from over, but with each day, they move forward together, their bond strengthened by the challenges they face.
The Sigron’s resilience is nothing short of inspirational. But faith alone won’t help them. You can make a tangible difference in the lives of families like the Sigrons by helping them with extra medical expenses, travel costs, and daily living expenses when both parents must leave work to care for a sick child. Even small contributions can significantly lighten the load for those facing the overwhelming challenges of pediatric cancer treatment.
As it is written in Proverbs, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” In this spirit, let us come together as a community to support these families in their time of need, for in our generosity, we help others and fulfill a divine mandate.