Welcome to our MDA UK Interactive Red Shield Summer Edition.
This is the second time I have written this. The first, to accompany the latest edition of Red Shield, was an enthusiastic and upbeat review of the first six-months of 2025. It was meant to be a big thank you to our supporters for being our partners as we invest in the future after the horrors of 7/10. No sooner had this gone live than our paradigm shifted once again.
So this message is no longer about our project with Borehamwood & Elstree Council and the people of Shoham in Israel, or our ‘Resilience Mission’ back in March. Right now, the focus is on Iran. Or more specifically, the exceptional bravery of the MDA teams in Israel in the face of the indiscriminate missiles being fired from Iran towards civilian populations across the country.
I completely appreciate that events have changed; however, the situation was critical, and MDA still remains at the highest level of alert.
Magen David Adom has 35,000 medics, paramedics and volunteers (it is indeed Israel’s largest volunteer organisation). Since Friday 13th June, every single one of them has been on the highest level of alert and preparedness. When the sirens sound and the general population is running to the shelters, our teams are getting ready to run to the point of impact. They have one job. To save more lives.
As Israel’s only blood collection, processing and distribution organisation, Magen David Adom is responsible for the entire country’s blood supply. You will not be surprised to know that we are running low. If you have any friends or family in Israel or you know anyone who is there right now, please ask them to give blood. More details as to where and how can be found at www.mdauk.org/giveblood. It is fair to say that the decision to build the Marcus National Blood Services Centre in Ramla with the storage facility securely underground is one that will insure Israel’s blood supply for years to come.
Every day that Magen David Adom is on this level of alert costs the organisation an additional £150,000 – over £1m a week. The response from our community to fund this shortfall has been amazing. Our first donation arrived in the minutes after Iran launched its first missile towards Israel. But we need to do more.
I hope that by Chanukah and the next edition of Red Shield, I will be able to share with you more of the MDA stories that warm our hearts. Right now, however, I ask that you do whatever you can to support our teams in Israel as they continue saving lives on the front line.
Daniel Burger
Chief Executive
Magen David Adom UK
iran attacks. magen david adom responds.
As the ceasefire began and the last missiles landed on Israel, the people of Magen David Adom continued to do what they had so bravely done for the eleven days before. They saved more lives.
From the declaration of a special state of emergency on Friday 13th June, Magen David Adom raised its alert level to the highest state of preparedness. All MDA ambulances and mobile intensive care units (MICUs), emergency medicycles, and rapid response vehicles were fully staffed, and the organisation’s 35,000 volunteers and employees were mobilised to provide swift and efficient medical care for any need.
Magen David Adom teams were dispatched to provide medical treatment at multiple scenes, arriving in large numbers. MDA’s EMTs and paramedics provided medical treatment to 1,347 casualties, including: 28 fatalities, 17 seriously injured, 29 in moderate condition, 872 lightly injured, and 401 suffering from anxiety. Magen David Adom remains on high alert, ready to provide immediate medical response when needed.
Paying tribute in person to the heroic medics, paramedics and volunteers of Magen David Adom were President & Mrs Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Herzog said, “Magen David Adom is one of the best early responders in the world. An incredible organisation, which has become so sophisticated. I want to thank the volunteers and I want to encourage all those who support Magen David Adom to keep on doing it.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu was equally thankful for the work of MDA over the campaign. “What you’re doing here, is unparalleled in the world. Primarily in terms of the equipment, the technology. But the structure of the activists, the volunteers — that is the people of Israel and the State of Israel at their best.”
MDA UK DEDICATES EMERGENCY VEHICLE IN MEMORY OF BIBAS FAMILY
In a moving ceremony, Magen David Adom UK Vice President Judy Saphra dedicated a first-responder community vehicle to the people of Israel in loving memory of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas. The dedication took place in Tel Aviv, bringing together family members and representatives of MDA to honour the Bibas family, whose heartbreaking story has echoed around the world.
Surviving members of the Bibas family were in attendance together with MDA Director-General Eli Bin and MDA personnel, family and friends. Renowned IDF Chief Cantor and senior Magen David Adom volunteer medic, Shai Abramson, performed at the dedication.
Daniel Burger, Chief Executive of Magen David Adom UK, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the generous gift. “The Bibas story is one that touched every single one of us. It is an honour for us that a Magen David Adom lifesaving vehicle has been dedicated by our Vice President Judy Saphra in the memory of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir to the benefit of all the people of Israel. Amidst the destruction of life, this lifesaving vehicle is a symbol of hope, resilience and saving lives. And dedicating this vehicle on the very day of the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe) is a particularly touching reminder that good always triumphs over evil”.
The ceremony concluded with a poignant release of orange balloons — the colour now symbolic of the Bibas family — serving as both a reminder and a message of hope for the hostages who remain in captivity.
SAVING LIVES FOR 95 YEARS
Magen David Adom, Israel’s ONLY national medical emergency and blood service is celebrating its 95th birthday.
The organisation was founded in 1930 and has been there for every moment of Israel’s short history. The UK community has actively supported MDA’s work for over 75 years, and since 2006, MDA has been officially recognised by the International Committee of the Red Cross as the national aid society of Israel.
IN MEMORY OF NORMAN: AN MDA GIANT
Russell Jacobs, Chairman of Magen David Adom UK, remembers Norman Rosenbaum z”l.
Norman was a relentless and passionate advocate for Israel through MDA. The 16 ambulances he fundraised for are testimony to his infectious charm and his unrelenting and inescapable power to persuade, cajole and extract money from one’s wallet, whilst charmingly smiling lovingly. We all at MDA truly miss him.
Norman drew me into the MDA family 20 years ago. The “honour thy father and mother” commandment became an imperative. But it was in fact a unique opportunity to join an organisation which awoke a different form of Zionism, which has now led to my making Aliyah. Norman made it clear that, irrespective of one’s political views, religion or charitable priorities, MDA was an ethical platform, a source of pride, for supporting the diverse and unquestionably humanitarian work of MDA in Israel. Norman was responsible for inculcating me and many others into the MDA ethos.
MDA and the State of Israel owe Norman (and Eve) a priceless debt of gratitude for the countless lives saved as a result of his activities. He lived a long and fulfilled life and we should rejoice in his achievement. He has handed us the baton to perpetuate his legacy.
FROM NORTHERN LINE TO SAVING LIVES
BY ASHER MASS-AGED 12
Last year, my dad and I cycled to every station on the Northern Line in one day to raise money for Magen David Adom. It was hard (and needed lots of snacks!), but totally worth it. In April, we visited Israel and saw where the money went. MDA’s underground blood bank was amazing, with cool tech to keep blood safe during rocket attacks. We even saw a milk bank that helps tiny babies, and a command centre that looked like a movie scene!
The best part? The Intensive Care bus that can carry eight critically ill people—it’s like a hospital on wheels. Everyone at MDA was so kind and passionate. This year, we’re cycling the Piccadilly Line to raise even more!
