QASSAM

CODE RED - TZEVA ADOM

IDF Protects Israel - MDA Protects Israel's People Magen David Adom is "Israel's Second Line of Defense"

 

 

  

SDEROT (January 4, 2009) - Magen David Adom personnel continue to work around the clock, responding to every rocket strike throughout the western Negev and southern Mediterranean coastline as Palestinian terrorists pummel Israel's civilians with rocket fire. More than 50 rockets hit Israel on Sunday, January 4. Two people were treated for wounds in Eshkol when two rockets slammed into the area and at least 16 Qassams pounded Sderot, wounding one woman and leaving four people in shock.  Magen David Adom medical crews treated all of the wounded in the field and when stable, transported them to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon.  Around noon today, a barrage of rockets slammed into Ashdod, injuring one woman. Another person was treated for shock by responding MDA medics.  Rockets also hit Ashkelon, Netivot and Shaar HaNegev, but no injuries were reported. Every member of Magen David Adom understands that if they were not there to provide immediate, effective and compassionate care to Israel's people, the population would flee the western Negev and hand Hamas gunmen a huge victory.

Magen David Adom personnel treated a resident of a Netivot home for shrapnel wounds after his house sustained a direct hit on Saturday evening, January 3.  Three other residents were treated for shock.  Earlier, on Saturday morning, rockets rained down on Ashkelon and Kiryat Malachi. 

On Friday, Ashkelon was pummeled by Grad rockets.  Magen David Adom medical teams responded quickly, treating a neighbor for shrapnel wounds and also took care of others who were suffering from shock.  Additional salvos struck the Eshkol Regional Council on Friday, causing some damage but no injuries. Sderot and Shaar HaNegev also sustained rocket fire on Friday but no one was hurt and no damage was reported.

Magen David Adom personnel raced to the scene of a direct hit on an eight-story Ashdod apartment building on Friday morning, January 1.  The Grad rocket caused a fire and serious damage to the top floor, however there were no physical injuries. MDA treated a number of people for shock, most of them children and elderly people. Ashdod is 40 km from Gaza, meaning that Hamas has greatly extended its ability to strike deep inside of Israel, thanks to sophisticated weapons smuggled into the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire.  Over 50 rockets pounded southern Israel on Friday. Four Grad rockets exploded a few minutes after the Ashdod strike in Ashkelon, and two more came a few hours later.  That morning also saw six Qassams hit the Eshkol Regional Council and in the afternoon three Qassam rockets struck Sderot.  Also in the afternoon, another barrage slammed into Ashdod and Ashkelon. Beer Sheva was rocked by two Grad rockets Thursday morning and evening. 

MDA medical teams and ambulances have been racing throughout the western Negev and Beer Sheva regions, treating scores of pepole for shock.

Magen David Adom is on full alert, rushing additional lifesaving vehicles and paramedic teams to the western Negev and personnel are on standby at the MDA National Blood Services Center, ready to ship needed blood units and blood components.

 

 

  
   

 

  

 
 

IN ISRAEL?  GIVE BLOOD NOW!

AFMDA CALLS ON ALL AMERICAN VISITORS TO

AID ISRAEL BY DONATING BLOOD AT THIS TIME

 

 

THE BEST GIFT TO BRING BACK FROM ISRAEL

IS THE ONE YOU'LL LEAVE BEHIND 

JERUSALEM (December 28, 2008) - American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA), which collected 1,600 units of blood this year, doubling last year's effort, has issued an urgent call to all Americans visiting Israel at this time to donate blood. EvERY PINT OF BLOOD CAN SAVE UP TO THREE LIVES, ACCORDING TO MAGEN DAVID ADOM.  "As the last candles of Hanukka are lit you can help make another miracle happen," says AFMDA Israel Representative Jonathan Feldstein.  "As more rockets are being fired at Israel, the need for blood may increase." To donate blood, contact IsraelOffice@afmda.org or call 057-761-4220.

Donating blood while in Israel has become a "must" for an increasing number of American tour itineraries, thanks to American Friends of Magen David Adom.

Termed “Israel’s newest tourist attraction” AFMDA has broadened the meaning of its mission “Saving Lives in Israel” by promoting and offering this opportunity to tourists, the only place in the world that people make it a point to donate blood while on vacation or amid holiday celebrations.   

For information on donating blood in Israel, arranging this opportunity for your group, or visiting Magen David Adom locations throughout Israel, please contact Jonathan Feldstein at IsraelOffice@afmda.org, call 057-761-4220 or 1-866-632-2763 in the US. 

To contribute blood, or to arrange a blood drive for your group, trip or mission while in Israel, please contact IsraelOffice@afmda.org, call 057-761-4220 in Israel or 1-866-632-2763 in the US.

 

The Top Ten Reasons

Why You Can’t Donate Blood in Israel

Thank you for considering one of the most important donations you can make.  There’s no other more meaningful way to do something hands on to help all Israelis.

Magen David Adom is responsible for more than 95% of Israel’s blood supply, and for 100% of blood needed by the IDF. 

Nevertheless, for your safety and the integrity of Israel’s blood supply, there are certain criteria that may prevent you from donating blood in Israel.  Not all conditions apply to everyone, and if you have a question, it is always best to ask.  Yet this list is designed to help save you time and disappointment if you are looking forward to donating blood but may not be eligible.

If these conditions do not apply, you’ll need to arrange a time (for a group) to donate in advance, and have a valid photo ID such as a drivers license or passport.

You are not eligible to donate blood in Israel ….

 

  • If you are over 65 you’ll need a note from your doctor that states you are healthy and able to donate blood.  Yet if you are 70 or over, you may not donate blood in Israel, even with a doctor’s note.
  • From ages 17 to 18 you’ll need a note from your parent giving consent. Otherwise you need to be 18 or over.
  • If you plan to fly (or scuba dive) within 24 hours of donating blood.
  • If you have lived in Great Britain for six consecutive months or more between 1980 and 1996.
  • If you weigh under 110 lbs (50 kilos).
  • If you are pregnant, or have given birth in the last six months.
  • If you were born or have lived for more than a year since 1977 in a country where HIV is prevalent (Africa, Southeast Asia, Caribbean Islands), or are at risk for carrying or possibly exposed to HIV (AIDS).
  • If you have a heart condition, malignant diseases, insulin treated diabetes, hemophilia and/or epilepsy, hepatitis and certain other genetic diseases, or if you have a family history of some of these diseases.
  • If you have taken (or are taking) certain medications (please ask)
  • IF YOU CANNOT DONATE BLOOD, CONTACT AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM TO ARRANGE A VISIT TO SEE MDA WHILE YOU ARE IN ISRAEL.

 

For more information, please contact Jonathan Feldstein, Israel Representative, American Friends of Magen David Adom, jfeldstein@afmda.org, 02-993-1744.  Or call the Magen David Adom Blood Donation Hotline at 1-800-400-101.

 

  
 
 

MDA HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS

TO SAVE INJURED GAZA CHILDREN

 

EREZ BORDER (December 31, 2008) - A seven-year-old Gazan boy who suffered a serious head wound in Israel's retaliatory air strikes was rushed through the Erez crossing and taken to Schneider Children's Medical Center in Petah Tikva in serious condition on Wednesday, Dec. 31.  Magen David Adom medics risked their lives to conduct the transfer at the Erez Border Crossing between Israel and Gaza. In total, MDA has facilitated the transfer of three injured children in the past two days.  In addition, Israel has permitted 20 Gazans suffering serious illnesses to cross as of Wednesday afternoon.


 
 

NEW "70 FOR 70" CAMPAIGN WILL MARK AFMDA'S 70TH ANNIVERSARY BY HONORING LEADERS FROM 1940-2010

 

 

NEW YORK (December 22, 2008) -

American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) – which was formerly known as “American Red Mogen Dovid for Palestine,” “American Red Magen David for Israel” and “ARMDI” - will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2010.  

AFMDA has a proud legacy of service to Israel, starting in the days of the Yishuv, before the establishment of the State. We supported MDA during the tumultuous last eight years of the British Mandate, played an important role in helping Holocaust survivors reach Palestine and were on the front lines in the War of Independence.

Today, AFMDA is the world leader in providing support to MDA in Israel. Since 1940, many people and groups in the US have played a major role in this historic task and we have decided it is time to thank them while, at the same time, tell our proud history.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of American Friends of Magen David Adom we are seeking to honor 70 individuals and groups throughout the country, both living and deceased, whose contributions or efforts have helped us to “Save Lives in Israel.”  We would appreciate your completing the Nomination Form -- attaching any supporting photographs, documents and information – and returning it to our national office by January 15. 

We know that far more than 70 people and groups deserve our honor and respect for their hard work and contributions.  An Honor Roll of all nominees will be published as well.

 


  
 
   
   
   

 

Working 24/7 for the people of Israel, MDA ambulances and other vehicles travel 5.65 million operational miles in an average year.

 
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