Athletes participating in the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Israel from July 12 to July 26 are being offered the opportunity to donate to the world’s largest Jewish bone-marrow donor registry during their stay in the Jewish state, reported Ynet.
The nonprofit organization Ezer Mizion set up stations in hotels and venues so athletes from 60 countries who wanted to could submit saliva samples, which were then sent to a lab for analysis. The aim is to increase the chances of finding bone-marrow donors and a suitable DNA match for patients.
“We are certain the athletes will join in our sacred mission to save lives,” said Dr. Bracha Ziser, the organization’s founder and manager, adding that the collaboration with the sporting event’s organizers, Maccabi World Union, could possibly double the bank’s capacity.
Maccabiah CEO Roy Hessing is proud of the partnership, saying “any athlete wishing to participate would be welcomed, and they will then easily be able to access the biggest bone-marrow bank in the world.”
Ezer Mizion was established in 1998 to help individuals and their families suffering from health challenges, in addition to the elderly, those with disabilities and children with special needs. It has already assisted in saving 4,400 lives, according to its website.
The nonprofit signed an agreement with the Israel Defense Forces in 2005 that allows every new recruit to join the bone-marrow donor registry as part of their army induction.
