In summer 2010, just a day after Tisha B’av, 32-year-old Ilan Tocker felt faint and passed out on a marble floor, cracking his skull and leaving him to have to undergo two emergency brain surgeries. The doctors were less than optimistic about Ilan’s survival, giving him less than a 10-percent chance to make it through the extreme procedures and nearly assuring that if he did he would most likely remain in a vegetative state. But with four young boys at home, ages 7 to 5 months, and a loving wife and caring family and friends, Ilan had much to live for. After two weeks of acute rehab, Ilan began to speak in full- sentences, walk with minimal assistance from the therapists and showed problem-solving abilities by playing card games.
At this point in time, Ilan is a medical marvel, defying all the odds and proving to those around him the powers of faith and love. And while he has surpassed expectations, this young father still has a long road to travel till he reaches the ultimate goal of a complete recovery.
Until this point, Ilan’s acute care has been covered by insurance, which unfortunately is up September 7, 2010, a day before erev Rosh Hashana. With a monthly cost of $40,000 at minimum for the necessary rehab, we are urging everyone to help out this young family so that they can once again be together. This time of the year is characterized by redemption, prayer and charity. Your prayers have helped pull him through the storm and we are hoping your charity will lead him home.
Thank you for the amazing updates. It is truly amazing to see how the community pulled together to do everything that is humanly possible to help out a friend. I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful, compassionate community, and I will continue doing my part of tefillah, and tzedaka until Ilan is home with his family. Refuah shlaimah!
Refuah Shelayma, Ilan. Your emunah and bitochon will see you through this challenging time. May you and your family be blessed with everything good – good health, good friends, stamina, love, and the ability to laugh. L’shana tova tikatayvu. You are all in my prayers.
I read about Ilan’s story when I was visiting my parents in N. Woodmere over Rosh Hashanah. We live very close to Mt Sinai. If there is anything we can do to help, please e-mail me.
look up the rofeh cholim cancer society (i think in Brooklyn Ny) they help pay for medical insurance for sick people, so that you do not have all the costs of every little thing.
Couldnt be written any better.
You make it entertaining and you still manage to keep it smart.