It all began when she was visiting a children’s hospital and met a young cancer patient, Liran Or. They kept in touch over the years until one day Gerbi got word that her young friend had finally succumbed to the fatal disease.

“I have recently learned that a wonderful girl with whom I was in contact has died,” Gerbi wrote on her Facebook page in a plea asking people to help other cancer-stricken kids. “The terrible news made me very sad and has convinced me to raise money for the Dana Children’s Hospital at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.”