Nurit Greenger
And that is what Magen David Adom (MDA) does, it saves life on a 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 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.
| Dina and Fred Leeds and their youngest son Charlie-Photo Orly Halevy |
The
current blood bank in Israel has outgrown itself, now insufficient to
serve the 8 million people living in Israel. But the real worrisome is
that Israel
is no longer facing possible conventional war but worse. Under such
circumstance, 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, indiscriminately, 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 Magen David Adom immediate needs. 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, 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
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 vein of every Israeli citizen.
Congratulation and much success FMDA!
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