Eytan Tesler, an IDF soldier, was critically wounded by an RPG missile while fighting in Gaza. Tesler lost a large volume of blood, but his life was saved thanks to a whole blood transfusion that he received in the battle zone.
After a few weeks of recovering in the hospital, Tesler met his blood donor, Gershon Panker of Ramla. Panker is one of only about 10% of the population suitable for such a donation. The emotional reunion took place at MDA’s Marcus National Blood Services Center, which processes about 500,000 blood units per year.
“During the first days of the war, I decided to donate blood. I hoped it wouldn’t be needed – but if it were – I hoped it would reach the right person,” said Panker.
“Nothing makes me happier than to see that my contribution saved lives in the field. This was my mission, and I will continue to donate blood in the future,” he added.
Tesler was excited to meet Panker, whose blood saved his life. “God works with people, and you are the man he chose,” Tesler said to Panker at the reunion. “You saved my life. I thank you, Magen David Adom, and all the medical teams who treated me.
IDF medics performed the lifesaving blood transfusion right on the battlefield in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza. Magen David Adom provided the whole blood unit to the IDF. Whole blood consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in plasma and is especially helpful in cases of massive bleeding.
“The special thing we did here in Israel, along with the IDF Medical Corps, is to bring lifesaving blood to the battlefield. We don’t even wait for the Medevac helicopters, but administer blood as soon as possible,” said Professor Eilat Shinar, MDA Deputy Director General of Blood Services.
“For us here at MDA blood services, it is very exciting to see the essence of the work become a reality and that it has produced a miracle.”
