The annual conference of MDA Friends’ Societies around the world took place last week, incorporating a visit to the communities in the Western Negev, a visit to the MDA National Blood Services Center and a drill on the Sea of Galilee.
The annual MDA Friends’ Society conference took place last week, with the heads of the societies visiting from around the world, to participate in Magen David Adom related activities. During the 3-day conference, the society heads observed a rescue drill on the Sea of Galilee, that used the MDA intensive-care boat. On the second day, they visited the National Blood Bank and National Human Milk Bank, both of which are based in Ramle. The new technologies utilized by the Blood Bank, Milk Bank and the Logistics Center, which saw dozens of ambulances that were donated during the war, were also presented to the society heads.
On the third and final day, the society heads visited the south and the communities in the Western Negev, including Sderot, Ofakim and Netivot. They visited Moshav Tkuma, where an MDA ambulance that was burnt on the first day of the war is displayed. They also visited the site of the Nova music festival, where the met MDA staff Noa Shimoni and Noam Weisbuch, as well as Naama Gal who was injured at the festival and treated by them. They also visited Kibbutz Be’eri, meeting Omri Kedem, a local resident and MDA volunteer, who hid in the safe room and was saved from the terrorists who tried to break through the safe-room door. They visited the clinic where MDA Paramedic Amit Man was murdered while treating casualties, and heard from Avia Hezroni’s sister. Avia was an MDA volunteer who was murdered in his home in Be’eri. They also visited the site in Ofakim where MDA Senior EMT and ambulance driver Aharon Haimov was murdered while on route in the ambulance to treat casualties, and held a memorial ceremony.
IMDAC Chairperson Mr. Gershon Trimpol: “On behalf of all the Friends’ Societies across the world, we wish to send our condolences to the MDA family, we were sorry to hear about Amit Man, Avia Hezroni, Aharon Haimov and Ronen Angel. We send our love and condolences to the families. They were MDA heroes, and heroes of the Land of Israel, and they drive us to do what we do.”
MDA Director General Eli Bin: “Amit Man, Avia Hezroni, Ronen Angel and Aharon Haimov are engraved within us, they are the real heroes who rushed out first to treat others, and who paid with their lives. I thank the MDA staff in the Western Negev who saved lives under fire and while risking their own lives, and a number of whom were injured. They all made Magen David Adom an integral part of the war in the south. You are heroes, and the Israeli people thank you and appreciate you
