5-Year-Old Lubavitch Boy Is Battling Leukemia and Needs Your Help
Yakov is a sweet and silly five-year-old boy who loves Paw Patrol. This year, he was supposed to be in preschool learning his aleph beis and graduating with the rest of his class. But what started as a normal school year quickly turned into every parents nightmare. Yakov began experiencing unexplained back pain, fevers, and vomiting and soon was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
The Toll on Yakov and His Family
Leukemia has taken a heavy toll. Yakov now endures weekly hospital visits and long inpatient stays for chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and multiple adverse reactions to vital medications. Fevers and infections that most children fight off at home leave Yakov hospitalized for weeks.
The aggressive chemotherapy and medications have begun to affect his heart. He has shown symptoms of a serious condition called prolonged QT, which can lead to life-threatening heart rhythm problems. While—Baruch Hashem—the symptoms have subsided, he remains under constant monitoring to ensure his heart stays stable.
His compromised immune system led to a rare and dangerous fungal infection—aspergillosis—that began in his lungs. This type of infection typically strikes only those with severely weakened immune defenses. He now requires strong, ongoing antibiotic treatment and frequent CT scans to ensure it does not spread to other organs.
The chemotherapy has also impacted his legs, making extensive physical therapy necessary to help him regain strength and mobility. More recently, it was discovered that the treatment is also causing kidney stones—another painful and serious complication that requires ongoing care and monitoring.
This journey has been emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially overwhelming. His parents, Hannah and Aryeh Gajer, are constantly shuttling between the hospital and home, caring for Yakov and their three daughters. To care for Yakov full-time, Hannah had to step away from her work—an essential choice that adds to the family’s financial burden.
A Family That Gives Without Hesitation
Yakov comes from a family that is always the first to help others. His father, Aryeh, is a first responder and the backbone of the local Hatzalah and Helping Hands (Chaverim) organizations—always first to respond, day or night. His mother, Hannah, is the quiet force behind it all, making everything possible.
Now, this family needs our help.
How Your Support Makes a Difference
Treatment for ALL is long and demanding. Yakov’s medical team has outlined an aggressive plan involving at least two and a half years of chemotherapy and hospital care—possibly longer, due to his severe reactions to medication. Frequent travel to specialists adds even more strain.
Yakov has not been able to attend school this past year and will likely remain out of school for the upcoming year. As such, he requires ongoing therapies, enrichment activities, and tutoring to support his recovery and help him catch up to grade level. While insurance helps cover most medical expenses, your contributions help with a wide range of out-of-pocket costs—such as uncovered treatments, travel expenses, extended time off work, therapy, childcare, and lodging during hospital stays.
These costs are not optional—they are essential to keeping this family afloat during the most difficult time of their lives.
We can’t take away Yakov’s illness—but we can ease the burden on his family and give them one less thing to worry about.
Let’s offer them comfort, stability, and the chance to focus on what matters most: healing their little boy.
Please donate and share Yakov’s story. No gift is too small. Together, we can surround Yakov with the love, support, and care he needs to triumph over leukemia.
With G-d’s help, and in the merit of our collective prayers and mitzvot, Yakov will be completely healed and blessed with a long, healthy life.
Please keep Yakov Shaul ben Chana Miriam in your tefillot. The power of prayer strengthens his body and uplifts his spirit.
Take Part in the Mitzvah Campaign
In addition to financial support, friends have launched a mitzvah campaign in Yakov’s merit. Please take part at: 👉 https://onemitzvah.org/refuah4yakov
Every mitzvah done on his behalf brings strength and comfort to Yakov and his family.
Thank you for being a light of hope in Yakov’s journey. May we only share in simchas.
Please Donate to help the Gajer Family: Donate Here
Rabbi Yossi Denburg – Chabad of Coral Springs & Lubavitch Hebrew Academy
Rabbi Daniel Shahino – Rabbi of Beis Moshiach Florida
Rabbi Yochanan Klein – Director of Healing Hearts Florida
