The fighter who left Gaza to donate bone marrow — and met the man he saved: “Because of him, I’m already on my feet”

At the height of the war, about a year ago, Sgt. A. left the fighting in Gaza for a unique mission: saving the life of a complete stranger through a bone marrow donation. A year later, this inspiring story reached a moving conclusion on the program “Olam HaBoker,” featuring the first emotional meeting between the soldier and the man whose life was saved because of him.

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His decision was immediate. In an interview conducted a year ago, shortly after the donation, when asked what he knew about the recipient, his answer was concise: “An older man.” The long wait for this meeting was accompanied by an intense mutual desire to connect.

In the program’s interview following the meeting, as they sat side by side, the feelings of gratitude were clearly evident. Shmuel Shapira, whose life was saved, spoke about his recovery journey:

“I am always an optimist. It is a long and complex process of recovery, but I am very grateful to him. Because of him, I’m already on my feet.”

For Sgt. A., the experience was equally profound: “The meeting was very moving, one of the most touching things that has ever happened in my life.” Shmuel chose to use the platform not only to thank his rescuer, but to turn his personal story into a call to action. He addressed the public, emphasizing the paramount importance of bone marrow donation and dispelling concerns about the process:

“Whoever can save lives should do it; it doesn’t harm.”