We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Arlene Feinberg on January 10th, 2014, at 81-years-old. Arlene was surrounded by her loving family and died peacefully at home.

 

Jay Feinberg, Gift of Life’s Executive Director, and Arlene’s youngest son, often recounts the story of his leukemia diagnosis and the four year search to find the one bone marrow donor who could save his life. Remembering being told by his doctor to go home and prepare his bucket list, Jay jokes that this doctor was “unfamiliar with the power of a Jewish mother.” Together with her husband Jack, Arlene was determined to save her son’s life, and started the campaign to find Jay’s donor on the very dining room table where she had been hostess to countless family celebrations and holidays. Little did they know that their mission to save one life would blossom into Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, an internationally respected medical resource for patients and their families embroiled in their own fights for survival. 

 

Jay was diagnosed with leukemia in 1991 and told, at the age of 23, that his chances of finding a genetically matched donor for the transplant that could save him were slim. A patient’s best chance of finding a match lies with those of similar ethnicity, and donors of Ashkenazi Jewish background were severely underrepresented on worldwide donor registries. Refusing to take the news as a foregone conclusion, Arlene led her family’s efforts to save Jay’s life by organizing donor recruitment drives and fundraisers, traveling the country and beyond and educating the worldwide Jewish community about the need for lifesaving donors. As the years went on and tens of thousands of potential donors stepped forward to be tested, Arlene rejoiced as other patients in need began finding their own miracle matches, and never gave up on the hope that a match would be found for Jay in time. 

 

The Feinberg’s became experts on the topic of donor searches and the transplant process, and generously shared their time and knowledge with others. Putting aside her own concerns about Jay, Arlene would give every patient the practical tools they needed to conduct their searches and imparted her emotional strength and love to everyone who came to her for guidance. Though Jay’s match still eluded him and his health began to decline, Arlene took great comfort in knowing that her efforts were helping others. 

 

After four grueling years, Jay’s miracle match was finally found. Arlene nursed him back to health following his transplant, and instead of turning her attention towards some well earned rest and relaxation, she remained as committed and hard-working as ever to finding live-saving matches for patients in need. In the years that followed, she dedicated herself to helping build Gift of Life. Though the organization quickly transitioned from a “mom and pop” grassroots effort into a cutting edge and respected medical resource, her steady presence combined with her amazing ability to remember every donor, volunteer, and patient who crossed her path kept everyone who was involved feeling like they were part of a special family. 

 

Thanks to her efforts, Gift of Life has significantly improved the chances of survival of all patients in need of life-saving donors. Today, as we grieve for her loss, we celebrate that there are hundreds of people alive and well because of her. Gift of Life, born from one mother's extraordinary efforts, has given health and hope to so many around the world. In her memory, we will continue to work toward the hopeful day when no patient, and no parent, will ever have to endure the horrible moment when the doctors say that there is no match and no chance for them.

 

Arlene’s goal was to see the Gift of Life registry reach 300,000 donors. In honor of Arlene’s memory, Gift of Life would like to announce a four million dollar campaign that will add 70,000 new donors to the registry, bringing the Gift of Life registry to the 300,000 donors the Mother of Gift of Life hoped for. May Arlene's memory be a blessing, just as her life was a blessing to so many.

 

Support Arlene's vision by clicking here.