This week marks a special occasion, not just a personal milestone, but a moment to reflect and extend a hand beyond oneself. For over two years, I've been steering a groundbreaking initiative at Ichilov Hospital aimed at enhancing services for the diverse LGBTQ+ community in Israel. From assembling a dedicated team to introducing the hospital's first LGBTQ+ social worker, sending a geriatric specialist to study aging within the community, to developing medical simulation programs designed to equip healthcare providers nationwide with the sensitivity and communication skills necessary for engaging with the community.

However, as we stood on the brink of launching our next ambitious project to elevate community health to new heights, the outbreak of war shifted focus, rightfully, towards rehabilitation and mental health, inadvertently sidelining our LGBTQ+ healthcare initiative. Our project now hangs by a thread, reliant on external funding to continue our critical work.

The silver lining? After relentless advocacy, the Ministry of Social Equality has agreed to match every shekel donated, doubling the impact of your support. If you've been inspired by our efforts and believe in the importance of this project, perhaps touching the lives of many you know or will know, I invite you to join me in this crucial moment. Every contribution can make a difference, allowing us to press forward with our mission. As a gesture of commitment, I am donating 500 ILS to this cause as my birthday gift to the project.

Thank you for all the warm wishes, and here's to hoping for calmer days ahead.

Roy.