EMERSON—The Fine-Edelstein family and the Gift of Life Marrow Registry call upon those aged 18–35 in good health to visit Congregation B’nai Israel for a stem cell matching recruitment event on Sunday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The drive — just to sign up and take a cheek swab test to join the registry for stem cell donation — is in support of Judy Fine-Edlestein, 62, until recently chief of neurology at Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts, working long hours caring for her own patients and helping Covid patients along with their families.
Focused on her job, she ignored her own coughing and aches, attributing them to stress.
When Judy could barely function anymore, she took a blood test, which revealed she had cancer—acute myeloid leukemia. She was immediately admitted to the hospital to begin her grueling treatments of high dose chemotherapy.
The call to action reaching Pascack Press says Judy’s survival depends on a stem cell transplant. She is receiving aggressive chemotherapy in preparation.
Between treatments, when she feels well enough, Judy escapes into music by playing her cello.
B’nai Israel is at 53 Palisade Ave., Emerson. Judy’s daughter-in-law, Rachel, says she hopes that candidate donors will visit the synagogue to have their cheeks swabbed to find out if they are a lifesaving match for Judy—or possibly someone else battling blood cancer.
Eligible donors must meet the guidelines and be willing to donate. Judy’s best chance of finding a matching donor is with someone of Ashkenazi ancestry. Those unable to attend in person can request a swab kit to be delivered at home. To order a swab kit, visit giftoflife.org/judy. For more information, call the synagogue at (201) 265-2272.