Israeli Mother Transforms Tragedy Into Charitable Initiatives After Losing Son and Battling Daughter’s Cancer
Saloma Shay shared her harrowing life story in a podcast interview with Channel 7, recounting the sudden death of her infant son David Eitan and her daughter Yael’s battle with cancer. Within just two years, Shay endured profound personal tragedies beginning during the Iron Swords war, when her husband Ariel was called to reserve duty and she was left alone with their children. Her son, only one year and two months old, suddenly developed a high fever. Despite initial hopes it was minor, David Eitan was found lifeless the next morning and died from a severe bacterial blood infection. Doctors later confirmed that even immediate hospital arrival would not have saved him.
Months after the loss, the family faced another devastating blow when medical tests revealed that their eldest daughter Yael had an immune system failure, followed shortly by a cancer diagnosis. Yael’s treatment was complicated by her underlying condition, leading to repeated infections and hospitalizations. On David Eitan’s birthday, Yael’s condition worsened due to a blood infection, requiring intensive care. Shay described the emotional ordeal, including moments of prayer and dancing in hospital corridors, until Yael’s condition stabilized. Currently, Yael has completed active treatment and is in maintenance phase.
Shay explained that she and her husband coped with the tragedies in their own ways, emphasizing her belief that she is in this world to do good rather than seek answers to why these events happened. From her loss, she founded a new charitable project in memory of her son, alongside another long-standing initiative that brings volunteers to celebrate with those who lack support at joyous events. The new platform connects underprivileged families with event service providers willing to donate or offer discounted services such as venues, catering, photography, and music, aiming to enable celebrations with dignity despite financial hardship.
Shay expressed hope that these charitable projects will continue to grow, concluding with a message of kindness inspired by her son: "We came into the world to do good for the people of Israel, and goodness spreads through unconditional love just as David Eitan taught us."
