Itai (Itai Ben Miriam), just 10 years old, is now facing one of the most challenging journeys a child can endure—recovering from brain surgery and beginning treatment for brain cancer.
His story took a sudden and frightening turn on February 12, 2026, when he was rushed into emergency surgery for a craniotomy. In a moment filled with fear and uncertainty, doctors worked quickly and skillfully to remove a brain tumor. In an incredibly hopeful outcome, they were able to successfully remove the entire tumor—a result his family could only pray for in such a critical situation.
For two weeks following the surgery, Itai remained in the hospital under close medical care. Each day brought slow, careful progress as his body began to heal. Eventually, he was strong enough to return home, a moment that brought relief and gratitude to his family after such an intense medical crisis. However, shortly after returning home, further testing brought a difficult diagnosis: Medulloblastoma, a form of childhood brain cancer. While the tumor had been removed, the battle was far from over.
Doctors immediately outlined a long and demanding treatment plan. Itai will undergo six weeks of daily radiation therapy combined with weekly chemotherapy sessions. Following that, he faces an additional 12 to 18 months of chemotherapy designed to reduce the risk of recurrence and support long-term recovery.
It is a journey that will test both his strength and endurance over an extended period of time. And yet, despite everything he has already been through, Itai continues to show a remarkable spirit. His family describes him as brave, bright, and full of life—even in the middle of treatments and hospital visits. He still smiles. He still jokes. And he continues to bring light into moments that are otherwise filled with difficulty. That strength has become a source of inspiration not only for his family, but also for the medical team caring for him.
Doctors remain cautiously optimistic about Itai’s recovery, and hope continues to guide each step of his treatment. His family holds tightly to that hope every single day, taking strength from his resilience and the progress he has already made.
Itai’s journey is just beginning, but his courage is already extraordinary. A young boy facing a complex diagnosis with a heart full of bravery and a spirit that refuses to give in. Please keep Itai in your thoughts and prayers as he continues this long and challenging fight.