Israel Cancer Association - Annual Report 2024

Homage to Bernard “Bernie” Marcus of Blessed Memory

Our dear friend Bernard Marcus passed away on November 4th at the age of 95. Bernie was still as sharp as any human being at any age, and deeply engaged in his beloved Israel and Jewish community until his passing. Known as the founder of The Home Depot, the USA’s 4th largest company, he was above all a champion of Israel and the Jewish people. For years, Bernie worried that Israel did not have a constitution. He funded the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) for decades, hoping to get a consensus that would have an Israel constitution adopted. He was deeply disappointed that this did not happen. He was a forward thinker and collaborated with Magen David Adom to create the Marcus Blood Center outside Tel Aviv, which opened in October 2023. How many lives it saved we will never know.

Bernie wanted to be a doctor, but was not able to afford medical school. Therefore, he became a pharmacist. He was interested in all things healing, including treatment for PTSD. He was training Israeli doctors in the US in effective treatments so they could bring the therapies back to Israel. Along with his wife Billi, he was a long-time friend to the Israel Cancer Association in the US (ICA-USA). Billi continues this involvement. These few accomplishments are only a small taste of the immense legacy he has left behind. We miss him already and cherish Billi’s continuing dedication. We deeply mourn our close friend Bernie.

Nancy and Peter Brown

63