Magen David Adom issues list of emergency needs

NEW YORK—Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency medical response organization, has issued a list of emergency needs Americans can sponsor as it continues saving lives amid increasing rocket attacks from Gaza.

MDA, which does not receive Israeli government funding for its operations, has activated its entire 13,000 volunteer corps and manned all of its 1,000 ambulances in response to sustained rocket fire from Gaza. The latest operations have strained MDA’s resources, which also must be dedicated to standard, day-to-day emergencies throughout Israel.

To date, MDA has treated 104 Israeli civilians as a result of rockets from Gaza. There have been no Israeli fatalities, partly a credit to MDA, which not only responds to emergencies, but prepares Israelis for them as well.

“MDA and Israel’s Home Front Command spend a lot of time and resources educating the public about safety and the low numbers of Israeli casualties are the fruits of our labor,” says MDA Director of International Affairs Yonatan Yagodovsky. “But MDA is still in need of significant assistance and support because don’t know how long this operation will last.”

MDA’s most critical emergency needs during the crisis:

1) Emergency medical supplies for ambulances and first-responders ($1,00-$10,000): These include trauma cervical collars, I.V. needles, ambulance resuscitators for adults and children, oxygen cylinders, spare parts for ambulances, uniforms, as bandages, oxygen and inhalation masks, respiratory apparatus, a blood pressure meter, needles and syringes, blood transfusion kits, etc.

2) MDA’s National Blood Services Center supplies ($3,600-$10,000): blood bags, viral testing kits, transfusion equipment, etc.

3) Communications systems ($1,000-$2,000): beepers and Mirs (telephone) units.

To sponsor any of these items or to make a donation to MDA’s lifesaving work, visit American Friends of MDA at http://www.afmda.org/make-a-donation or call toll-free 866.388.7527.