Magen David Adorn needs
your help to save lives in Israel
I
T f you're walking down a busy street in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, or really
anywhere in Israel, you can't avoid it — the siren of a Magen David Adorn
ambulance. It means that paramedics from MDA, Israel's official ambulance
service, are on the way to save a life. Whether it's a child who was hurt at school
and needs medical care and a helping hand or the victim of a severe car accident
who needs to be rushed to the hospital, MDA is there for Israel's people. Every-
one in Israel knows someone whose life was saved by MDA.
While the siren is the loudest part of Magen David Adom's work, it only tells
part of the story. MDA is also a vital partner with the nation's hospitals and the
Israel Defense Forces.
Israel's hospitals perform lifesaving work every day, but how do the patients
get there? Whether they're going to Shaare Zedek, Hadassah, or Tel HaShom-
er, most patients arrive at the hospital in an MDA ambulance. When there are
casualties on a larger scale, like the 2010 Carmel fire or last November's rocket
attacks, MDA leads the first-aid response at the scene and transports the in-
jured to hospitals as quickly as possible. These same hospitals also rely on MDA
for blood used in transfusions. As the provider and protector of Israel's blood
An MDA paramedic comforts
supply, MDA collects, tests, stores, and distributes nearly all of Israel's blood.
a boy after an emergency.
As a major resource to the Israel Defense Forces, MDA trains the IDF's
medics. And when soldiers are injured, MDA paramedics run onto the
battlefield, at great risk to their own lives, to evacuate soldiers to the hospital. MDA also provides 100 percent
of the blood supply for the IDF.
MDA is mandated by the government to provide these services to the entire nation, but it's not government-
funded. Instead, MDA relies on its 13,000 volunteers and supporters around the world. And it's not just Israelis
riding MDA ambulances. People from all over often join Israeli
paramedics as volunteers, including more than 40 young adults from
Michigan during the past eight years.
There is a grand history of support for the lifesaving work of MDA
from our community. Since 1967, Detroit-area supporters have raised
over $31 million for more than 200 ambulances, emergency medical
stations, paramedic scholarships, and more.
The ever-changing climate in the Middle East requires MDA to
add 100 new ambulances this year. The Dr. John J. Mames Chapter
— Michigan Region of American Friends of Magen David Adorn is
raising funds to help meet this need, including ambulances in honor
of "Go Blue!" and "Go Spartans!"
You can help sponsor these ambulances by calling 1.877.405.3913
or donating online at tinyurl.com/Michigan-mda.
Prof Eilat Shinar, M.D., director of
MDA Blood Services, with an IDF soldier
Through your donation, you will be saving lives in Israel.
donating blood.
Todah rabah, thank you.
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF
MAGEN DAVID ADOM
SAVING LIVES IN ISRAEL
The Dr. John J. Mames Chapter — Michigan Region
Manny Charach, Chairman Cari Margulis Immerman, Director
23215 Commerce Park Road, Suite 306, Beachwood, OH 44122
Toll-Free: 877.405.3913 central@afmda.org www.afmda.org
September 2013 •
Chai Israel Magazine I 25