Opinion

First Responses, Up Close

I

Kathryn Pitone-Lipkin, D.O.

Jack Belen, D.O.

Brian Gendelman, M.D.

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to Eva Mames (chair of Michigan
t is an honor to speak on behalf *of
ARMDI, the local support arm for
the overseas volunteers of Magen
MDA), to visit the Magen David Adorn
David Adorn (MDA). I was able
Blood Bank in Ramat Gan. And I have
to become a first responder and see
to say: It is an incredible
firsthand how fortunate the
facility. It has the best tech-
people of Israel are to have
nology and is able to test,
so many people who care
separate and process almost
about their wellbeing.
double the amount of blood
I could speak about all of
units today than when they
the unique experiences that
first opened the blood bank
I encountered these past
just a few years ago.
six weeks, but that would
Right now, if there is a
be impossible. You may be
war in Israel, because it sup-
wondering what exactly
plies all blood units for the
Jes sica
does this wonderful pro-
army, MDA moves all of its
Lang nas
gram do — I can honestly
necessary equipment into
Comm unity
say, way more than anybody
the basement in order to
Vi ew
could fathom.
continue its work and not
The program begins with
have to worry about anything. In the
a 60-hour training course over a peri-
near future, it hopes to build a newer
od of 10 days. During these few days,
and bigger facility that is completely
we learn important skills necessary to
underground so it can always have all
have on the ambulance, become more
of its equipment and not have to move
familiar with the language, and create
anything in times of war.
lasting friendships with our class-
I thought I would answer a few ques-
mates and instructors, who are from
tions that I have been asked frequently:
all over the world. We learn the skills
• First, the siren is much louder out-
necessary to deal with whatever may
side of the ambulance than it is inside
come our way, not only medically, but
the ambulance.
also emotionally. We were prepared to
• Second, I felt the intensive training
be ready for anything.
course before the volunteering began
Fortunately, during my time in
really prepared me for any emergency
Israel, I didn't have any calls that were
situation that would arise.
too catastrophic. However, I was able
• Third, I would recommend this
to see many interesting things. I was
program to anyone interested in going
able to really see how the people of
into a health profession.
Israel live when I went to their homes
• Fourth, the food in Israel was deli-
to help them; and I saw all walks of
cious! And I loved it!
life, from the wealthy to the homeless.
•And lastly, I did see ambulances
During my time as an ambulance
donated from families in Metro
volunteer, I made a lot of connections
Detroit, and it made me so proud to
with patients while in transit to the
hospitals. I was able to comfort women show others how my community was
during labor, help others after being in supporting the people of Israel.
From now on, if you are ever in
a car accident and cheer up children
Israel and in need of medical atten-
after they had been in an accident of
tion, don't forget to dial 101 — the
some sort.
Israeli equivalent of 911 here. ❑
Of course, some cases were more
serious than others; but I learned that
Jessica Langnas of Bloomfield Hills is in
regardless of the seriousness, a smile
her third year at Michigan State University,
and having someone hold your hand
majoring in nutritional science, with plans
and tell you everything is going to be
to go to physician's assistant school. She
all right is sometimes exactly what
returned here on Aug. 27 from volunteer-
they need until they can get further
ing in Israel with MDA, Israel's national
medical attention.
emergency medical, disaster, ambulance,
One day while I was in Israel, I had
rescue and blood bank service.
the fortunate opportunity, thanks

Jessica Langnas spoke Aug. 29 at Adat Shalom Synagogue in

1 William Canis Drive • Commerce, Michigan 48382 • 248.937.3300

visysimatkoza

38

September 9 • 2010

Farmington Hills at the 43rd annual meeting of the Southfield-based Dr.
John J. Mames Chapter-Michigan Region, American Red Magen David
for Israel/American Friends of Magen David Adom.