A special evening sponsored by the Mayor of Kiryat Motzkin, Mr. Haim Tzuri, and his wife, Dafna, was held on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Many eminent dignitaries and famous personalities honored the event with their presence, seeking to serve as a personal role model by contributing to the unwavering fight against cancer, including the Mayor of Kiryat Yam, Mr. David Even Tzur, the Mayor of Kiryat Bialik, Mr. Eli Dukorski and the Mayor of Nazareth Illit (Upper Nazareth), Mr. Alex Gedalkin, as well as deputy mayors and members of regional councils in the north.
Dozens of paintings by female cancer patients and survivors who attend an art therapy class held by the Israel Cancer Association (ICA) were on display at the event. The patients and survivors depict their personal experiences of coping with cancer in these artworks. The paintings exposed the large audience to the meaning of the disease, but also to the impressive optimism that typifies these courageous women.
In spite of the security situation, hundreds of residents of the north came to take part in this unique evening, the proceeds of which were dedicated to ICA activity. The highlight of the fundraising event, held at the Kiryat Motzkin Theater Hall, was the singing performance delivered by Mrs. Shiri Maimon on a volunteer basis.
Hundreds of children of the south and IDF soldiers were invited to the fundraising evening, with only one objective in mind - to offer them a brief respite from the challenges facing them right now. It goes without saying that their presence in the auditorium increased the good vibes and reinforced the sense of mutual responsibility, particularly during these trying times.
Mr. Ami Kabri emceed the ceremony on a volunteer basis, and moved the audience when he spoke about the loss of his beloved father to cancer. Later on, he invited the city's mayor to the stage, as well as Mrs. Miri Ziv, ICA Director General, who greeted those engaged in the pursuit of this noble cause.
The artistic event of this fundraiser kicked off with the representative band of Kiryat Motzkin, "Kova Tembel" - followed by Mrs. Shiri Maimon's performance, accompanied by musicians against a beautiful backdrop, who gave an incredible and electrifying performance that captivated the hundreds of attendees, and made everyone forget about the security situation, if only for a moment, and even about the state of health of some of the members of the audience.
Another highlight which did not leave a dry eye, was the moment when Mr. Ami Kabri, who moderated the event, invited Ms. Sharon Adar Ladani, a young 19 year-old cancer survivor to the stage, to sing a song with Mrs. Shiri Maimon, called "Tikva" (Hope), which accompanied her throughout her treatments and while coping with the disease. Ms. Ladani was overcome with emotion and said: "I have fulfilled a dream to sing the song that gave me renewed strength and reinforced me during treatments". Many good people worked behind the scenes in organizing this wonderful evening - hundreds of ICA volunteers, headed by Mr. Moti Dagan, the Coordinator of the Kiryat Motzkin Branch, dozens of generous donors who sponsored this event, and many other good people.
As the successful event winded down, Mr. Haim Tzuri, Kiryat Motzkin's Mayor asked to announce that: "the Municipality of Kiryat Motzkin and its Theater Hall are delighted to be a part of such a noteworthy and significant event, to help achieve objectives and new breakthroughs in cancer research and treatment. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organizers of this performance for their initiative".
Mrs. Aliza Shultzer, Director of the ICA Northern Branches, extended her thanks to all those involved: "This evening exemplifies our mutual responsibility and attests to the fact that the fight against cancer is our common battle. The fact that the residents of the northern region attended this event, in spite of the security situation, filled our energy reserves in order to continue and persist in this fight, and afforded the children of the south and IDF soldiers an enjoyable experience and an evening filled with smiles. In just a few months, the ICA will be holding its Annual Door Knock Fundraising Campaign, and I hope to utilize the team spirit that this event has generated to help ensure the ICA's national fundraising campaign is a success. Please keep in mind that your donation can potentially save lives, so please open your hearts and exercise your privilege to be a part of this noteworthy cause.
All the pictures were taken by Mrs. Yafit Bashevkin