Israel Rallies to Support Widower of Reservist Who Died of Cancer

A crowdfunding campaign for Shimon Avixar, a widower and father of three whose wife died of cancer while he was serving in the reserves, is nearing its goal of 1 million shekels. As of now, 938,853 shekels have been donated, with just 61,147 shekels remaining. Avixar was called up for reserve duty on October 7th and was stationed in the south. His wife, Hadar, was battling cancer, and he was granted leave to say goodbye, arriving just half an hour before her death. Her last request was for him to care for their three children. After the mourning period, Avixar returned to his reserve duties, accumulating nearly 1,000 days of service, including an injury and five months of rehabilitation. Simultaneously, he has been raising his children alone and caring for his mother-in-law and father, both facing serious health issues. "Until now, I've managed the household alone with my reserve salary and the grants we received," he stated. Recently, his financial situation worsened, and he realized he could no longer cover basic family needs. "I'm not expecting anything from the public, but I would be happy if they could help me," he said. The public has responded generously, with the campaign's initial goal of 500,000 shekels nearly doubling. Avixar emphasizes that any contribution will provide his family with breathing room and hope for a better future. The campaign is in its final hours, with donations eligible for tax deductions under section 46.