Shimon Shalev, father of IDF soldier Shachar, wounded in Gaza fighting. Photo: family.

The Israeli public responded in force to the parents of an IDF soldier injured in Gaza fighting who asked for blood platelet donations, due to the severity of his condition, Israel’s  Channel 2 News reported Tuesday.

“We’ve had a lot of requests, and many have signed up,” according to Naomi and Shimon Shalev, parents of Shachar, a paratrooper who was seriously wounded by a roadside bomb in Gaza on July 23rd, soon after Operation Protective Edge began 50 days ago. Three of his buddies were killed in the explosion, from the hidden charge.

IDF soldier Shachar Shalev, wounded in Gaza fighting. Photo: family.

Shachar needs a dose a day, according to the report, and the supplies on hand at Haifa’s Rambam medical center were running low, until his parents put out the call – with surprising results, according to the family, who are residents of Kibbutz Alonei Habashan in the Golan Heights.

“We are seeking men between the ages of 18-to-60, who are willing and able to donate platelets,” Naomi said.

“We’re getting a big response,” to the call for donors, “and I have no idea how they all found out,” Shimon said.

“Yesterday, I sent out an email on it, and my brothers put out the word all over the place,” he said, and the calls started coming in – thanks for helping out,” he said to all those who donated.