And that is what Magen David Adom (MDA) does, it saves life on an hourly basis.
This past weekend, Friends of Magen David Adom (FMDA) West Coast USA held their first – inaugural – Gala at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in which 1,000 supporters came to honor Dina and Fred Leeds, a husband and wife team who exude devotion for each other and their children, and are committed to help Israel and the Jewish community, to make the difference in the world and bring about Tikun Olam – repairing the world.
The gala’s goal, to raise awareness for the help needed in the effort to build Israel’s underground blood bank. Gaby Bashner received the Woman of Valor Lifetime Achievement Award and Leba Sherman received the Woman of Valor Next Generation Award.
The current blood bank in Israel has outgrown itself, now insufficient to serve the 8 million people living in Israel. But the really worrisome thing is that Israel is no longer facing possible conventional war but worse. Under such circumstances, to assure its operations in time of any attack and a possible earthquake, the blood bank of Israel must go underground at the predicted cost of $110 million dollars.
Magen David Adom Israel is a partner with the Red Cross International; it supplies blood to 97% of the civilian population and 100% to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that has no blood bank of its own. MDA relies, entirely, on donations as the government of Israel, according to a law previously passed, does not share in the funding burden of the organization.
So when we say, saving life, each dollar donated to the organization means it will, without discrimination, save life in Israel.
Yossi Mentz, FMDA Western Region Director and a large group of volunteers tirelessly worked for months to ensure that as many people in Los Angeles are alerted to the immediate needs of Magen David Adom. With the help of the performance appearance of Gary Green, Esq. and his Big Band of Barristers, singer Neil Sedaka and comedian Jackie Mason and other artists, over 4 million dollars were donated during the event. We can now say that the blood bank has the foundation and now it needs the funds to build the underground building.
Among the guest speakers were David Segal Israel Consul General and Professor Eilat Shinar M.D. the Director of MDA Blood Bank Services Division in Israel. The Gala continued with an After-Party Next Generation inaugural gala. The time is now to prepare the next generation to continue the work and the support for MDA.
In front of the hotel, along Wilshire Boulevard, making a statement, were ten ambulances, all purchased from donations, each valued at $100,000 and more. These vehicles are on their way to Israel to enter the Magen David Adom ambulances force.
Magen David Adom is the Iron Dome of life; it acts as a heart through which the people in Israel receive their blood supply. Public donations and support will ensure life in Israel keeps on flowing.
Donating to MDA means sustaining the supply of blood that runs through the veins of every Israeli citizen.
Congratulations and much success FMDA!
