₪4.5 million raised at the annual Friends of Shamir Medical Center fundraiser, held at Zappa Karem Barkan in Hulda.
The Friends of Shamir Association hosted its annual benefit event to raise funds for the construction of a new “Tiny Tots” Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Shamir Medical Center. Performances by beloved Israeli artists Amir Dadon and Miri Mesika delighted an audience of around 300 guests.
Attendees were welcomed by Yair Shamir, Chairman of the Friends Association; Dr. Osnat Levtzion-Korach, Director General of Shamir Medical Center; and Sigal Adar, CEO of the Friends Association.
Among the prominent guests:
Udi and Shira Recanati (Dina and Raphael Recanati Family Foundation, major donors to the project), Daniel Benayem (Friends Board Member and CEO of Comtec Group), Ohad Levkovitz, Noga & Roy Oron, Marianne & Doron Livnat, Smadar Nimrodi-Rinot, Keren & Doron Brin, Uzi Yemin, Danit & Oded Gazit, Vered Burshtien, Yoram Yehav, Maria Aharon, Ruth Alon, Moshik Mor, Danny Roup, Eti & Gad Proper, Danny Bernitzky, and many others.
Dr. Osnat Levtzion-Korach, Director General of Shamir Medical Center:
“Following major government decisions, Shamir Medical Center is on its way to becoming the largest hospital in Israel. We are committed to providing groundbreaking, human-centered care not only to the residents of the central region but also to expanding our contribution to health on both national and international levels. The NICU, led by Prof. Iris Morag, is one of our leading Centers of Excellence. This new unit will place us at the forefront of global neonatal care and provide healthy, high-quality, and happy lives to hundreds of babies and their families.”
Sigal Adar, CEO of the Friends Association and leader of the fundraising campaign, announced:
“Together with the amazing support of tonight’s guests, we met our goal – a total of ₪4.5 million was raised. The project is now in its final planning and approval stages, and construction will begin in July.”
Prof. Iris Morag, Head of the NICU, emotionally shared the need for the new unit:
“It will include five private hospitalization rooms for extremely premature infants and their families, providing the highest level of care. For many families, the birth of a premature baby is a traumatic and overwhelming experience. Our mission is to deliver the best medical treatment along with emotional and developmental support tailored to each infant and parent — turning a difficult beginning into a journey of growth and empowerment.”
Yair Shamir, Chairman of the Shamir Friends Association:
“I thank all the generous donors who joined us this evening and gave from their hearts to help us establish the new Tiny Tots Unit. For the exceptional NICU team, led by Prof. Morag, this is a daily mission of saving lives — especially for the tiniest babies, born weighing only a few hundred grams, who need the most dedicated care and the most advanced infrastructure to survive and thrive.”
