In the face of overwhelming adversity, 20-year-old Leibel Lazaroff from College Station, Texas, has shown the world what true courage and selflessness look like. Just weeks ago, Leibel’s life was hanging in the balance after he was shot multiple times while saving lives during the Bondi Beach Hanukkah terror attack in Australia. The attack, which rocked the community, saw Leibel put his own life at risk to protect others, showing a level of bravery that few can imagine.
It all began in the chaos of gunfire and terror. As bullets flew and panic set in, Leibel didn’t hesitate. While others ran, Leibel stayed. He dropped to the ground beside a critically injured Australian police officer, and in a moment of incredible heroism, he tore off his own shirt and used it as a tourniquet to save the officer’s life. While the gunfire continued to rain down around him, Leibel shielded the officer with his body, putting his own safety aside for the sake of others.
That bravery came at a great cost. Leibel was shot multiple times, sustaining devastating injuries to his abdomen and legs. The injuries were so severe that there were moments when his family was told to prepare for the worst. The road ahead was uncertain, and the survival of this young hero was far from guaranteed.
Leibel was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent multiple life-saving surgeries. His condition remained critical, and for weeks, his family and loved ones waited anxiously, hoping for a miracle. They clung to their faith and the hope that Leibel’s determination and resilience would carry him through. Doctors worked tirelessly, and as the days passed, Leibel’s body fought back, defying the odds and proving the strength of the human spirit.
And then, just recently, a breath of hope arrived.
Leibel has been moved out of the ICU. After weeks of critical care, multiple surgeries, and moments when his family feared they might lose him, this small step forward feels like a miracle. While it’s still too early to declare victory, it’s a crucial turning point in his long and challenging recovery journey.
But Leibel’s fight is far from over. Doctors have made it clear that he faces months of hospitalization, more surgeries, and an intense road to recovery. His journey will require strength, perseverance, and the unwavering support of his family and the global community that has rallied around him. The road ahead will be long, but the fact that he’s made it this far shows the depth of his resilience.
Leibel’s story is a reminder of the extraordinary courage that can emerge in the darkest of times. A young man from Texas, far from home, became a hero in an instant. He chose compassion over fear, selflessness over self-preservation, and in doing so, he saved lives. His actions demonstrate the best of humanity — the ability to rise above the chaos and to serve others, even at great personal cost.
In the midst of one of the world’s darkest moments, Leibel’s light shone brightly. His decision to step into danger to protect others was a testament to the power of the human spirit. And while his journey is far from over, the hope he has sparked in others is undeniable.
Leibel’s journey has inspired people around the world. His story is one of courage, sacrifice, and survival. But as he continues on his path to recovery, he still needs our support, our prayers, and our strength. The road ahead may be long, but hope is alive, and Leibel’s fight is not over.
Please continue to lift Leibel up in your prayers. His journey is not finished, but thanks to his incredible bravery and the support of his family, friends, and the global community, he has already proven that light can shine in the darkest of times.
“Saving Marko’s Smile: A Mother’s Unwavering Fight Against Cancer” 492
Jelena Magic’s life was filled with laughter when her youngest son, Marko, was born. Marko, the third child in their family, was an easy-going baby, always smiling and brightening up every room. Jelena could never have imagined how that smile would soon become a symbol of the fight of their lives.
From the moment Marko entered the world, he was the relaxed, grinning version of his two older brothers, Petar and Aleksa. But in February 2018, when Marko was just 16 months old, something changed. His once endless smiles faded as he started developing persistent diarrhea and losing weight. His once happy demeanor was replaced with constant discomfort, and Jelena became increasingly concerned.
“I think there’s something really wrong,” Jelena told her husband, Andrija, in a moment of deep worry. They took Marko to the doctor, and after some initial tests, the doctors thought it might be lactose intolerance. However, as Marko’s condition worsened, they realized there was something more serious at play. One of their doctors suspected a deeper issue and ordered an ultrasound, which led to the devastating diagnosis: Marko had a tumor the size of an orange in his abdomen, diagnosed as neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer.
The news was a punch to the gut for the young parents. But despite the shock, Marko’s oncologist reassured them that the prognosis was positive and that the tumor could be removed. Jelena and Andrija held on to this hope. Incredibly, after the tumor was removed, Marko’s stomach problems disappeared, and after six weeks of constant worry, Marko was smiling once again.
However, the relief was short-lived. In October, just a few months later, when Marko was nearing his second birthday, he began to limp. A new round of scans revealed that the cancer had returned. This time, the tumors were not only in his abdomen but also in his pelvis, leg bones, and bone marrow. The oncologists were stunned. Marko had developed a rare form of the disease, one that had mutated into a much more aggressive version. What was initially diagnosed as a low-risk neuroblastoma had turned into a high-risk, life-threatening cancer.
As Jelena sat at her computer, she read with horror that one in four children diagnosed with this kind of cancer die within five years. It was confronting, and the reality of what they were facing was overwhelming. Jelena and Andrija were heartbroken but determined to fight for their son. Marko would undergo five cycles of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, 20 rounds of radiation, and immunotherapy.
Throughout all of this, Jelena never stopped encouraging her son. “We’ll get you smiling again, darling,” she would say, even on the days when Marko was too ill to open his eyes. On good days, he would play with his toys and sing songs, showing signs of resilience and strength that inspired his family. “He’s responding well,” the doctors told Jelena, and for a while, it seemed like the treatment was working. But Jelena knew better. She had already witnessed how quickly things could change for her son, and she couldn’t rest easy.
Desperately searching for any additional treatment options, Jelena discovered that a hospital in New York was conducting a clinical trial for children like Marko—those who had undergone treatment for neuroblastoma. This trial involved a vaccine designed to prevent the cancer from coming back. The treatment sounded perfect for Marko, but there was one problem: it wasn’t available in Australia, and it was incredibly expensive—around $350,000.
“We’ll sell the house,” Andrija suggested, desperate to find a way to pay for the life-saving treatment. But with two other children to care for, they knew they couldn’t do that. Jelena turned to crowdfunding, hoping that the kindness of others could help save her son’s life. Friends and family rallied behind them, and they managed to raise $120,000. Though they were grateful, Jelena couldn’t help but worry about how they would raise the remaining funds.
Then, in an unexpected twist, former Wallabies player Israel Folau started his own crowdfunding campaign after being sacked by Rugby Australia for making homophobic comments. Folau raised millions for his cause, and Jelena couldn’t help but notice how quickly the public rallied behind him, while families like hers struggled to raise funds for their children’s medical treatment. A journalist caught wind of Marko’s story and reached out to Jelena, and after a few interviews, Marko’s crowdfunding page saw a huge influx of donations.
Within 48 hours, Marko’s fundraising campaign had raised $250,000. Together with the $120,000 they had already raised, Jelena and her family had enough to cover the cost of the treatment and travel expenses to the U.S. “I was in tears,” Jelena recalls, overwhelmed with gratitude.
By February, Marko’s latest scan showed that the neuroblastoma was in remission, and the trip to the U.S. was still on the horizon—though postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. While they wait for the rescheduled treatment, Jelena feels a deep responsibility to advocate for other families who face similar battles. She has written to her local MP and others, urging them to make it easier for families to access life-saving treatments without resorting to crowdfunding.
Marko’s battle is far from over, but for now, he’s smiling again, and that’s all that matters. Jelena and Andrija continue to fight for their son’s future, thankful for the support they received and determined to ensure that no family has to face this alone.
