Nine years ago, after finishing my active-duty military service, I planned to do what many Israelis do after the army: travel and figure out my next chapter.
Instead, I found myself in a hospital donating bone marrow to my younger sister, Ayala, who had been diagnosed with a rare disease. Watching her fight for her life changed me forever. Slowly, she recovered and rebuilt her life. Today, nearly ten years later, Ayala runs marathons as part of her recovery.
Then, on October 7th, my life changed again.
As a reserve combat medic, I was called into Gaza while my wife, Shira, was pregnant with our first child. For months, I moved between war and home, returning briefly before being called up again while Shira carried the fear and uncertainty on her own.
In August 2024, just weeks before our daughter was born, I was shot during an operation in Jenin. Even after being injured, I continued treating wounded soldiers until the evacuation arrived. But the moment I will never forget was calling my wife from the battlefield to tell her I had been shot while she was preparing to give birth. Although I physically recovered, mentally I felt lost. I struggled to reconnect to myself and the life I had before the war.
After my injury, I found Belev Echad. Through the organization, I found support, community, and people who understood exactly what I was going through. Through them, I joined the Step by Step marathon team, which became a major part of my recovery. Training gave me purpose, structure, and hope during one of the hardest periods of my life.
One day, my sister Ayala called me and said, “We’re running the New York City Marathon together.” Suddenly, this marathon became about much more than running. It became a celebration of survival, recovery, family, and everything we have overcome together.
In 2026, we will run the New York City Marathon together as we celebrate ten years since her transplant and my continuous improvements post-injury.
My goal is to raise $6,000 for Belev Echad so they can continue helping wounded soldiers like myself heal physically, mentally, and emotionally after war.
Ten years ago, I helped save my sister’s life. Together, we are celebrating it, one step at a time.
If my story touched you, I would be honored to have your support.
To donate in shekels, please use the link below. Once you are redirected to the external shekel donation page, please enter “Belev Echad – Yoni Hartman” in the comments section of that donation form so we can properly allocate your gift. https://jaffalandipages.amax.co.il/p.aspx?url=7ea1d924-76af-4d2d-a7ec-74d734b77849
Belev Echad is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
Federal Tax ID #811569698.