Israel’s Health ministry has just approved an expansion of the “Health Basket,” treatments and drugs covered by Israel’s four HMOs for 2023. The expansion included more than 120 medications and technologies at a cost of nearly NIS 650 million.  The task of deciding which medications and technologies to be included each year is a daunting one. The weight of responsibility on the shoulders of the ministerial committee is formidable. And despite political, professional and philosophical differences, there is a consensus that the task is indeed difficult and by and large, respect for the process and the committee members transcends petty disputes. No system is perfect, and criticism is justified in some cases. But overall, we feel fortunate to live in a country with a national health care system that despite its limits, does a lot for the common good and democratizes healthcare beyond what we see in other developed countries.  We were particularly relieved to see the inclusion of an important targeted PARP inhibitor treatment for breast cancer. We have seen severe financial hardship derived from bearing the costs of these treatments in Lemonade Fund grant applications. This was particularly heartbreaking since this treatment offers so much promise to BRCA-related cancers so prevalent in Israel, especially in cases of young breast and ovarian cancer patients.  Thank you to the Israeli Health Basket committee. And thank you, Israel. For a system that strives to be a shining light of equality, promise and progress for all of its citizens.

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Full article: https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/shari-mendes-on-helping-cancer-patients-in-their-time-of-need/?fbclid=IwAR2mW_0JVqnIT9FGsT4Z1hHjU5eoP4L8iRDo57hkx8F35cuBHuaQfPCOeZ8

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Twelve years ago, on an otherwise normal, hot July day in Israel, I received a diagnosis of breast cancer. As a child of a holocaust survivor with a miraculous story of survival, I learned early to notice connections. (“Try not to miss the miracles,” my mother would say…) July 20, 2010, also happened to fall on Tisha B’Av, the annual day of fasting and mourning for tragedies throughout Jewish history.

Each year since, I have come here to write about my connection with this particular day, its impact on my life and work.

Thank God, I am fine now, with a Bat Mitzvah amount of years of good living with family and friends…years past that dark scary day of diagnosis in 2010. It is even becoming possible to allow it to become hazy. And coming out of a pandemic, I think the world is in this mindset as well. Wanting to focus on anything but illness. Naturally, we all want to move on…

Yet, people are still getting cancer and other serious illnesses, as always. Many are likely frightened, alone. I would never have thought deeply about them if I hadn’t been hanging around hospitals myself, as a patient. This was a world that had previously had nothing to do with me; it was invisible to me. Until it wasn’t. What I learned is that we must always let the sick know that they are not alone – it is ALWAYS very frightening to be very sick. A year after my diagnosis, the Lemonade Fund was born, in 2011, to lend emergency financial support to needy breast cancer patients while they are in treatment.

The most primal scream in the Hebrew Bible is:

“PLEASE GOD, HEAL HER NOW!”

Moses cries, when his sister is suddenly taken ill. In Hebrew it is monosyllabic, and one can imagine, guttural sounding, “EL NA, REFA NA LA!” One can hear the emotion in Moses’ cry.

The terror that accompanies illness hasn’t changed. We can help.

Several world events have caused 2021-2022 to be the Lemonade Fund’s busiest year yet. The number of applications has increased by more than double over the previous year. The Lemonade Fund is Israel’s only breast cancer emergency financial aid charity.  We have become the national address for emergency support so these patients and their families are not alone. (Like S…., single mother of 4 teenagers, self-supporting until breast cancer. Now can’t work, in debt, trouble paying rent. Sent by her hospital social worker.)

The Jewish Sages tell us that internal disunity and discord within the Jewish people was the catalyst for all of the tragedies that befell the Jewish nation on 9 Av. However, almost implausibly, the day ends with hope! By studying the harm caused by baseless hatred and by doing the opposite, the day itself can be transformed from a fast day into a holiday of healing and future celebration. I see my personal recovery as a parallel, linked to this day. And through it, to the healing and recovery of all those whom the Lemonade Fund has helped, and those whom it still needs to reach.

Thank you, and until next year, God willing, wishing everyone an easy fast and a good year.

The post I Come Here Once a Year first appeared on Lemonade Fund.

Lemonade Fund grants were sent out a week early this month, so that patients could receive aid before the holiday. Hoping to make the holidays a better time for everyone, even those in the middle of treatment.

To Donate to the Lemonade Fund:

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Most one-time grants are 2,000-3,000 shekels and the receiver can use them for whatever they term most necessary.

Read more:

https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/israel-lemonade-fund-making-lemonade-out-of-lemons-for-israelis-with-breast-cancer-661506

The post Israel Lemonade Fund -Making lemonade out of lemons for Israelis with breast cancer first appeared on Lemonade Fund.

Sample February 2021 Lemonade Fund grant:

H., 42, married, 4 young children, getting chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer, awaiting surgery. Two adult siblings live with the family, one with bipolar disease, one with terminal cancer. Husband, a factory worker, has had to miss work to care for wife and family. Family is in financial crisis. Lemonade Fund awarded.

Help the Lemonade Fund continue this important work. Thank you!

The post Profiles in Courage – February 2021 first appeared on Lemonade Fund.

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R., 42 years old, married with 4 children (ages 7-15.) (Husband not working, is fully disabled.) D. was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in August, now also not working, family in very poor financial situation. 

N., 71 year old widow. 4 living children (1 died from cancer 20 years ago, another lives with her due to mental health issues.) Recently widowed after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and left with husband’s debts (of which she was unaware.) Was an assistant kindergarten teacher and has no savings. She lives solely on her pension and her son’s disability payments, and is now facing bankruptcy.

Your donation helps give Israeli breast cancer patients room to breathe while they are in treatment. Thank you!

2021 – Lemonade Fund 10th Anniversary Year!

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