American Jewish father of 3 whose bone marrow search inspired celebrities dies

Krief was diagnosed with primary myelofibrosis, a rare form of blood cancer that is likely fatal if a stem cell transplant match is not found.

By JTA
Updated: MARCH 16, 2017 03:43
Video from campaign to find a bone marrow donor for Jewish cancer patient Adam Krief (credit: HOPE4ADAM FACEBOOK PAGE)
Adam Krief, a Jewish cancer patient whose search for a bone marrow donor captured the attention of social media and celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Mayim Bialik and Jason Biggs, has died.
Krief, a father of three from Los Angeles, died Tuesday, a family friend confirmed to JTA. He was 31.
Krief was diagnosed with primary myelofibrosis, a rare form of blood cancer that is likely fatal if a stem cell transplant match is not found. To find an HLA, or gene complex match for Krief — something more difficult to track down than a blood type match — drives were held around the world, including in North America, Israel, France and Mexico.
Kardashian posted about Krief on Facebook in September, saying he was a friend of a friend.
A bone-marrow donor was found last December – seven matches were found, in fact, through the donor drives organized for him.
“This is what cloud 9 looks like … I’m so grateful to let you all know that a donor has been found,” Krief wrote at the time, sharing a video with two of his children.
The Hope 4 Adam Facebook page on March 8 called for a Worldwide Unity Shabbat for March 11 and March 18 for the recovery of Krief, asking followers to “Help us bring about a miracle.”
On Monday, the Eretz Kabbalah Facebook page of the Los Angeles-based Eretz Cultural Center posted a call for followers to recite Tehillim, or psalms, on behalf of Krief.
“After a long search for a bone-marrow match to save his life, he finally received one. However, after some complications, he is said to only have a few hours to live,” the post said.
Krief is survived by his wife, Lia, and his young children.