5 years without eating or drinking!
9-year-old Shira Sofer has only one wish – to eat like all the other children, like everyone else. Due to her difficult health condition, Shira has undergone eight complex surgeries and required hundreds of days of hospitalization, countless tests and treatments, and 50% absence from school, since she was a baby. About five years ago, due to a surgery complication, Shira ended up in her present condition – unable to eat or drink. Since then, Shira has been fed through a tube attached to her belly. The unfortunate condition of her esophagus requires reconstruction in a dangerous and complex operation in Cape Town, South Africa.
Now her family is facing a difficult financial situation and are asking the public to help with the extensive medical and travel expenses, in the hope that this time Shira will finally be able to live normal life like other kids her age.
The surgeries were unsuccessful
After an unfortunate complication during an operation led to esophageal injury, Shira’s esophagus has become dysfunctional and has lost its natural form. Any attempt to eat or drink results in exhausting vomiting or the food remains stuck in the esophagus and can not pass into the stomach. Over the last few years, Shira has been nourished by a special tube and is receiving nourishment throughout the day directly to her stomach, despite already having two major surgeries that have been carried out over the past two years by a renowned doctor from abroad who came to Israel to try to save her esophagus and solve the problem. The attempt failed, and the Shira’s circumstances began to deteriorate.
In recent weeks, Shira’s condition worsened, and after many consultations, her family was informed that Shira had to return to the operating table for the ninth time in her life, this time for a long and complex operation in which they would reconstruct her esophagus from a from a piece of her small intestine.
The surgery requires extensive experience and global expertise to reach success without complications, which may arise due to Shira’s medical history. To increase her chances, Shira was referred to a world-renowned doctor at a medical center in Cape Town, South Africa, who has earned his name for his expertise in pediatric surgery and years of experience in performing such operations.
Due to Shira’s medical condition, hundreds of days of hospitalization, and long recovery periods, her parents were forced to leave their jobs for long periods of time and often lost their jobs due to repeated long absences. What was at first a small economic pit, has grown over the years into a deep financial abyss. Now the upcoming surgery makes the situation unbearable for them and their daughters.
Now her parents appeal to the Jewish people to provide hope for Shira and allow them to fly with her to the operation in South Africa, to hold their two other daughters at the same time and support them during these difficult times. After the surgery, Shira can begin to relive, and for the first time in five years, eat and drink like the rest of us. Help them reach their goal!
The date of the surgery is approaching – September 23, but in order for the family to be able to cope with medical and living expenses for the difficult journey, the family must raise a large sum of NIS 700,000.
Shira needs you.
Now is the time! Only you can give Shira the opportunity to leave the terrible situation for a happy new life without doctors and hospitalizations, and the possibility of her parents to raise her and her sisters in a normal and happy way.
Click here to give Shira life.
How can we donate even after completion /funds raised
שיינא שירה בת חיה צירלא
May she have a refuah shlaima!
Why is the surgery on erev yom tov? Sept 23 is erev yom tov
What is her full hebrew name?