metro From Net MDA is when emer Aid To Nepal Detroit2Nepal Foundation fundraiser will help with earthquake relief efforts. Keri Guten Cohen I Story Development Editor N - Whether it's a car accident in Israel or an earthquake in Kathmandu, the men and women of Magen David Adorn, Israel's emergency medical response organization, are dedicated to saving lives. And they do it by having the most experienced paramedics in the world and by getting there fast — whether it's around the corner or around the world. That's why MDA was the first Israeli medical organization on the ground in Nepal Sunday. But being the best is a collaborative effort, between EMTs and people like you. Visit www.afmda.org/emergency to support MDA's mission in Nepal or visit www.afmda.org/donate to support its daily lifesaving work in Israel. Dr. John J. Mames Chapter — Michigan Region Manny Charach, Chair Cari Margulis Immerman, Director 23215 Commerce Park Road, Suite 306 Beachwood, OH 44122 Toll-Free 877.405.3913 • central@afmda.org www.afmda.org AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM Israelis In Nepal 2004470 nril 30 • 2015 Keidan's second home since 1983. He first went for the Himalayas and adventure, but when he met Namgyal Sherpa, his lead guide, in 2009, his trips transformed into a mis- sion to improve public health, healthcare and educational opportunities for chil- dren in remote Himalayan villages. After researching needs, Keidan launched his nonprofit, Detroit2Nepal Foundation, in 2010. So far, the foun- dation has built a new village school, helped provide power to another village, gives ongoing educational scholarships and has outfitted an entire village with ecological toilets. In February, work was started on a village sub-health clinic that will aid more than 3,000 people. The massive earthquake that hit Nepal Saturday, April 27, has undone much of this work in mere hours. "Seeing this happen is heartbreaking; said Keidan of West Bloomfield, who has traveled to Nepal more than 25 times. "I have heard from many friends, but still there are many I have not heard from. My D2N country director, Raju, just became a grandfather last week, and I have not heard from him or his family, and I have had no word from anyone in our village areas where we work My thoughts and prayers are with everyone:' Detroit2Nepal was already hosting a fundraiser in Downtown Detroit on Friday, May 8. Now, Keidan says, half of all funds raised in the next five weeks will go toward disaster relief, with the other half going to D2N projects. (See box.) At press time, more than 4,000 people have been killed and 7,000 injured. Countries — including Israel, which responded quickly by setting up the first field hospital — are responding with aid, but the wait is much longer for inacces- sible areas beyond Kathmandu. Suzi Colman, featured in a IN story ("Eyes On Everest, March 19, 2015) for her work bringing eye clinics to remote villages near Mount Everest, worries that relief organizations cannot reach these isolated villages. She hears from a Sherpa friend living in Ann Arbor that destruc- tion to the village where his family lives is devastating. He suggests relief organiza- tions use helicopters to reach these areas. Keidan says the connection between Nepal and Israel is strong. "Thousands of Israelis visit Nepal during their travels after their service in SAVING LIVES IN ISRAEL 18 epal has been Dr. Richard Richard Keidan at the site of a Detroit2Nepal sub-health clinic being built; he is unsure if it still stands. the army:' he said. "I have come across countless Israelis over the years. It is not unusual to see store signs in Hebrew and Hebrew keypads in the Internet cafes. I have been to Passover seders and have broken the fast after Yom Kippur with thousands of young Israelis:' Of the 2,000 Israelis reported in Nepal, only 11 were unaccounted for at press time. Many Israeli couples were awaiting the births of their babies by Nepalese surrogate mothers or already had their newborn infants in hand. Chabad of Nepal and the Israeli embassy sheltered many of the Israelis. Ironically, Keidan was supposed to have been at Everest now; a massive avalanche triggered by the earthquake claimed many lives there. "My Sherpa brother and D2N coun- terpart, Namgyal Sherpa, died on Everest two years ago:' Keidan said. "Had he been alive, he would be running the second Everest clean-up expedition right now; I was supposed to be expedition doctor:' Nepal Fundraisers • "Over the Edge Detroit" will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, May 8, at the First National Building in Campus Martius in Downtown Detroit. Those aged 18 or older who raise $1,000 for the Detroit2Nepal Foundation will be eligible to rappel down the 341-foot building. Training will be given on site. Funds raised will be split between Nepal disaster relief and D2N projects in Nepal and Detroit. Tax-deductible donations can be made at http://bit.lyNKUXs8 . • Donate to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee at http://bit.ly/1J4giwA. • Donate to American Friends of Magen David Adorn at https://www. afmda.org/emergency. • Give to the B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief Fund: http://bit.ly/1EKPgws. • Donate to the Chabad Center in Nepal: http://bit.ly/1ba11YS.