When the family of a very sick patient used the VitalOne Air Medical transport team, little did they know how far the dedication and commitment of the team would actually go.
Young Chaim is from a Orthodox Jewish community in Panama, South America.
He was diagnosed with a deadly tumor and needed critical treatment in the United States.
This past June, the family reached out to VitalOne, who took on the task of transferring him to Memorial Sloan Kettering for further treatment.
Sadly, over Shabbos Chaim passed away from his illness.
The family was eager to start the process of getting the proper documentation and permits to transfer the body back home where he was to be buried.
They were advised however, that unfortunately the earliest possible departure would be late Monday, as the Panama Consulate office is closed on Sunday just like any Government office.
The family was thrown into disarray, knowing that delaying a Jewish burial is not ideal whatsoever.
Not knowing who to turn to, they reached back out to Isaac Leider from Vitalone (AKA Rabbi911™️)to see if he has any connections to do something about the situation.
Isaac immediately started working the phones.
Within a short time he was directly in contact with the the Consulate General of Panama himself, the Honorable Mr. Rafael Flores.
Issac explained the situation to the Consulate, and he was right away eager and willing to help.
The Consulate said he would personally open up the Panama Consulate in NYC special to get the necessary documents as quick as possible.
The willingness of the Consulate General to do this on a Sunday, when all Government offices are closed is truly remarkable.
It is note worthy as well, that the Consulate was in middle of attending a Hispanic parade when he got the phone call from Isaac, but immediately left and headed to the Panama Consulate in NYC.
The Consulate explained that he would need the assistance of the Consulate office administrator, Mr. Vicente Bonilla, to process the necessary documents.
The consulate reached out to Mr. Bonilla, who said he was home in White plains, NY but was willing to help out with the situation.
Isaac immediately called his right hand man and Chief Of Staff of the Vital One team Mr. Yanky Fekete to assist with the situation, Yanky immediately jumped into action, dropped everything and drove to White Plains to pick up the administrator and bring him to the Consulate in NYC.
The willingness of the administrator to drop what he was doing on a Sunday and come to the Consulate is also truly remarkable.
With both the Consulate general and the administrator there, the team proceeded to open the office and prepare and approve the necessary documents that were needed.
Having previously dealt with situations like this Yanky was familiar with the procedure and assisted at the consul with the expedition process.
This afternoon, Chaim a’h departed the U.S. on his way home to Panama for his Levaya and Kevurah.
This was only made possible because of the unbelievable selflessness and kindness of the Consulate General and the office administrator.
Additionally, the unbelievable devotion of the VitalOne team allowed this operation to be a ‘mission accomplished’
It is truly amazing how the initial mission of transferring Chaim to the U.S. for medical treatment ended with the ultimate ‘mission’ of bringing him to proper and timely Kever Yisroel.
May we know of no more Tzaaros in Klal Yisroel.
(Name of baby was changed due to privacy.)
