20 years later - a chance meeting at the Allergy Clinic

Lia, 20, from Hadera, has a dust allergy. Every week she comes into the Allergy Clinic at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center to get a shot. About two weeks ago, her father decided to go with her to the clinic and was surprised to discover that the nurse giving Lia the allergy shot was none other than Shachar Dar, the nurse who cared for her in the NICU 20 years earlier, when she was born weighing just 1.700 kg. They were all very excited, and Lia came to her next appointment with photos from the family album, where Shachar is front and center, as the NICU nurse who cared for her for the month she was in the hospital.

Lia and nurse Shachar Dar 20 years ago in the NICU and today at the Allergy Clinic

They have been meeting every week for several months and never imagined that they had actually met 20 years earlier, when Lia was just born. “As soon as she opened the door, I immediately remembered Shachar’s kind blue eyes,” said Lia's father, Amit. “Lia and her sister, our twins, were born at 32 weeks, at a weight of 1.700 kg and 1.780 kg. We were hospitalized for a long time in the NICU and got to know the whole team. They fully embraced and guided us throughout our lengthy hospital stay, and Shachar was one of them. You don't forget the people who were with you during the most challenging moments of your life.”

Shachar, who was surprised that Amit remembered her after so many years, said excitedly, “I have worked as a nurse for 24 years already. I’ve never had a parent whose daughter I cared for 20 years earlier recognize me immediately. I was so excited to see how Lia had grown and become such a lovely young woman. For me, it’s really coming full circle.”