The Alliance of Bukahrian Americans Health Committee Event

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Blood & Bone Marrow Drive in Brooklyn

On Sunday, January 13, Kehilat Bney Yaakov (located at 630 Avenue S, Brooklyn, NY, 11223) had its first ever Blood and Bone Marrow Drive. The event was organized by the Alliance of Bukharian Americans (ABA) Health Committee, which worked together with the Maimonides Medical Center and the Gift of Life organization. Maimonides Medical Center’s Blood Donation Center and Gift of Life Marrow Registry were responsible for the sponsorship of the blood collection and bone marrow registry cheek swabs, respectively. The inspiration behind this event stemmed from the success of the ABA Health Committee’s Jamaica Estates Blood and Bone Marrow drive of April 2018. Both events demonstrate the Health Committee’s initiative to incorporate ethnic-specific Jewish DNA into the national bone marrow registry as a proactive measure against blood cancers. These types of Cancer are often treated and cured through bone marrow transplants.

We are proud to share the remarkable results from our collaboration with the Bukharian, Georgian and Kavkazi Jewish communities of New York City; thank you Beit Juhuro! Our combined efforts brought 5 new bone marrow registry donors into the international marrow registry, and 38 blood donors, 7 of which were deferred due to travel, medical conditions, etc. Each unit of blood can potentially be utilized to save 3 patients. Accordingly, the result of our proactive measure potentially saves or aides approximately 93 people! This number may include women with complications during pregnancy, trauma patients suffering major blood loss, or patients with sickle cell anemia. Our joint success brought joy to many people.

“I was so impressed and proud to see what you accomplished,” said Mr. Izzy Ildatov, President of Beit Juhuro. “What you did was no small feat. I hope that we can do this again and grow B”H every year.”

Rabbi Ephraim Ilyaguev, the Rabbi of Beit Juhuro, said the event also inspired him because of the wonderful donors he met. One Hasidic donor told him, “Why did I do it? I heard a story about Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, when a man came to him and asked him, “Rabbi give me a blessing,” he responded, “Go and ask a blessing from someone who donates blood. That is someone you should be asking a blessing from…”

As more community members join the ABA Health Committee’s cause to work on initiatives like the Brooklyn Blood Drive, the general health of their families, friends and community members will certainly improve. The committee is currently recruiting new members to further these goals. If you are interested in joining, please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 By Boris Semkhayev