Climbing to the Summit for Children with Cancer

I’m climbing to the summit to pass on what I once received On October 1, 2026, I will set out to climb Mera Peak, a 6,440-meter mountain in the Himalayas. It will be the most challenging climb of my life, but the reason I am doing it began long before I ever imagined I would climb a mountain. At the end of 12th grade, when I was 18 years old, I was diagnosed with cancer in the nose and throat area. For nearly a year, I underwent chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and long periods of isolation. While my friends were beginning their adult lives, I spent long hours at home and in the hospital, far from the routine I had known. During that time, I was supported by the Israel Cancer Association. Among the things they provided me with was a computer for my home. It helped me get through the long hours when I could not go out, study, or meet friends as I normally would. That support has stayed with me ever since. My connection to the association runs so deep that I even have its logo tattooed on my body. Slowly, I recovered. I joined the IDF, and at the age of 20, I traveled to Nepal for the first time. I had no experience in mountain climbing, but I wanted to discover what I was capable of. I reached Everest Base Camp, and that journey opened up a whole new world for me. Since then, I have built a family with three children and become a physiotherapist, helping people return to the things they love. More than 20 years after facing cancer, I am returning to the mountains. This time, alongside my personal dream of reaching the summit, I want to close a circle. When I raise the Israel Cancer Association flag at the summit, I will think about the children who are in the same place I once was. Children whose treatments keep them away from school, friends, and their everyday lives. I remember how meaningful it was for me to receive a computer, and now I want to help give other children that same opportunity. That is why I am dedicating this climb to raising funds for the “Computers for Children with Cancer” project of the Israel Cancer Association. Through this project, computers are provided to children with cancer aged 9 and older who do not have access to a computer at home for their studies and whose families cannot afford to purchase one. This allows them to continue learning from home or from the hospital, stay connected with their teachers and friends, and feel connected even when they are forced to be away. Donations do not fund my climbing expedition. They are dedicated entirely to the Computers for Children with Cancer project. More than 20 years ago, I received a computer that helped me through a difficult time. On October 1, I will begin my climb to help pass that gift forward. I invite you to join me: every donation, of any amount, will help us reach another child who needs a computer. I will make the journey to the summit. Together, we can help children stay connected on their journey.