Welcome to our MDA UK Red Shied summer edition
I’d like to see a lot less of Magen David Adom in the media. Of course, I’m fine with the good news stories that peacetime brings, but more recently we have been on your TV screens, social media feeds and in your papers far too much.
As Israel’s only national medical emergency and blood service, Magen David Adom has been a permanent fixture in the Israel news cycle since last October. Recently you will have seen that (miraculously) the only casualty from the Iranian missile and rocket barrage was saved by MDA. And of course, when the IDF rescued four hostages in early June, it was MDA that has the responsibility of transporting them directly.
MDA is at the heart of all life in Israel. In ‘normal’ times, when there is no war or conflict, Magen David Adom is there for all the people of Israel, irrespective of their religion, race, ethnicity or skin colour. This is however heightened when Israel is under attack and our teams are under even greater pressure to respond.
Like all of you, I pray for the immediate release of the remaining hostages and an end to this war. I look forward to a time when we are only in the news for the ‘right’ reasons. But until then, I know that Israel and all its people are being looked after by Magen David Adom.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Daniel Burger
Chief Executive
Magen David Adom UK
PS: Please join us on our upcoming 2024 Memorial Mission to Israel from the 6th-9th October to mark the 1st anniversary of October 7th. You can register your interest here.
MAGEN DAVID ADOM SAVES 7 YEAR OLD GIRL FROM IRAN ATTACK
Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel in April saw the Iron Dome and an alliance of international allies prevent serious injury or loss of life. However, shrapnel from a ballistic missile struck the home of the al-Hassouni family in Al-Fura, an Arab community near the city of Arad. 10-year-old Amina al-Hassouni was critically injured while she was sleeping in her bedroom.
Mohammed al-Hassouni, Amina’s father, recounts the terrifying incident, relaying that alarms were loudly reverberating through the area, missiles were flying overhead, and then one fell on their house causing debris to hit Amina in the head, severely wounding her.
Israel Katz (Manager of the MDA first responders in Arad and a senior EMT) and Zohar Servintzky (MDA paramedic from Arad) were the first on the scene. Israel recalls that upon first examination it was clear that Amina had sustained a significant head injury, was unresponsive and needed to be put on a ventilator. The MDA medics delivered first aid until the intensive care team arrived, who continued treatment before evacuating Amina to Soroka Medical Center as she was in critical condition.
After being on the verge of death for nearly two months, young Amina awoke from her coma. Upon hearing this news, EMT Israel Katz described feeling very moved, as he knew that MDA had succeeded in its mission to save lives. He immediately contacted Amina’s father and arranged to visit her as soon as possible. With huge thanks to Magen David Adom and the teams at Soroka Medical Center, against all
odds, Amina is now recovering and breathing on her own.
LEADERSHIP DINNER HAS AN EYE ON THE FUTURE
On June 18th, MDA UK hosted a Leadership Dinner at The Berkeley Hotel. Alon Fridman, CFO and Assistant Director General of Foreign Affairs for MDA Israel, spoke about lessons learnt post 7/10; MDA UK’s CEO, Daniel Burger, highlighted the importance of our working partnerships; and Chair, Russell Jacobs advised as to how MDA is preparing for the future.
Newly-elected President of the Board of Deputies, Philip Rosenberg addressed the room before Michael Marlowe, father of 7/10 victim Jake Marlowe z”l shared the heart-wrenching testimony of his son’s murder at the Supernova festival.