People think of Magen David Adom as the organization that saves people’s lives in Israel. But sometimes the organization is focused on saving the quality of their life.
Such is the mission of Magen David Adom’s Wish Ambulance, a specially equipped ambulance that takes seriously ill patients on outings to realize a dream they wouldn’t otherwise be able to fulfill because of their health.
On Sunday, MDA’s Wish Ambulance program fulfilled the dream of Adam Janko, a 6-year-old Israeli boy undergoing treatment for a childhood brain cancer, who wished to be a Magen David Adom EMT for the day.
“Adam fell ill several months ago, underwent two head surgeries and radiation treatment in Austria,” said Adam’s mother, Michelle Meidan Janko. “Ahead of the third surgery, we wanted to make him happy and make his dream [of becoming an MDA medic] come true. From the moment he entered [MDA’s National Operations] Center, he kept asking questions and was very excited. And he managed to forget about the operation for a few moments.”
As part of his special day, Adam toured MDA’s National Operations Center, where emergency calls get dispatched, got to know MDA’s EMTs and paramedics, rode aboard an MDA ambulance, rode a motorcycle accompanied by members of the organization, and even received a call on the radio.
“After visiting both the fire department and the police in the past, I wanted to come to MDA to help save lives,” Adam said. “I was very excited before the visit and did not sleep all night. I was very happy to receive the shirt and the stethoscope and travel by ambulance.”
“We were very excited to host this lovely young man on a special day set up especially for him,” said Alon Rizkan, an MDA paramedic who accompanied Adam that day. “The MDA family wishes him health and a speedy recovery — and we hope he’ll be joining our ranks as an EMT when he reaches adulthood.”
