The Lowdown on American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA)

Getting to Know Magen David Adom

Magen David Adom (MDA) is one of the leading providers of medical support to the public, including Jews, Arabs, Muslim, Druze, and Christian. It has been officially recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as the national aid society of the state of Israel under the Geneva Conventions, and one of the members of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies since June 2006.

The Organizations Significant Roots

MDA is an organization founded by Karen Tenenbaum, a nurse, in 1930 as a volunteer association, with only one branch in Tel Aviv, the second most populated city in Israel (next to Jerusalem). After opening other branches in Jerusalem and Haifa five years later, it was extended nationwide.

On July 12, 1950, the Knesset passed a law, making MDA's status as a national emergency service official in Israel.

What's in the Name?

The name "Magen David Adom" really means "Red Shield of David," but it is usually translated as "Red Star of David."

About MDA's American Peers

American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) is the largest constituent of MDA, with 69 years of apparent and dedicated support to the organization. It is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, with federal tax ID number:13-1790719. It is a national, nonprofit organization located in New York City, USA.

MDA's Cool Lifesaving Mission

Just like any other blood bank organizations, MDA also has the following objectives:

• maintain first aid services
• maintain a blood storage service, plasma and by-products
• include instructions in first aid and pre-hospital emergency medicine
• operate a volunteer program that is focused on training in first aid, basic and advanced life support, which includes Mobile Intensive Care Units
• provide patients' transportation services (including women who are in labor)
• assist in evacuation of wounded patients
• provide doctors, nurses and medical auxiliary forces with their own transportation services

What They Really Do

MDA is a blood-services-and-disaster-relief organization committed to serve as an emergency medical respondent for a country that has more than 8 million people living in it. It is the only organization mandated by the government of Israel to do this very important role.

Helping People, Saving Lives

Although it's not a government agency, it still depends on the public, especially donors, for funding. With your continued help, MDA continues its journey to save thousands of Israeli lives, such as a senior citizen who suffered a heart attack, a gunshot victim, a baby born on the way to the hospital with the umbilical cord around his neck, and a woman involved in a car accident. All of these people were helped and saved by skilled, quick-thinking and intelligent MDA paramedics and volunteers.

Crunching the Numbers: How MDA Works

Employed Team

MDA has a team of 1,500 professionals and approximately 12,000 trained volunteers who provide all of Israel's population with prehospital emergency medical needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including the endless problem on disaster, ambulance service and blood services.

Blood Service

The MDA National Blood Services Center excellently provides 100% of the blood requirements of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and 97% of the blood needs of Israel's hospitals and the overall population.

Vehicular Service

MDA's fleet of almost 800 MDA ambulances and Mobile Intensive Care Units travel more than 9.75 million miles per year, taking care of over 520,000 patients annually. MDA operates from over 100 Emergency Medical Stations and 11 dispatch stations in communities all over Israel.

In a Nutshell

MDA has more than 120 emergency medical stations, which are the proud pillars of the organization's life-saving mission. It serves as the basic foundation for paramedics and ambulances, so they can quickly and efficiently serve different local communities. Numerous blood stations have been built or renovated with the support of American donors, and lots of great opportunities are still coming.

The Moving Force Behind AFMDA

Here is the complete list of National Officers & Directors of AFMDA:

• National Chairman: Mark D. Lebow
• Chief Executive Officer: Arnold Gerson
• Vice Chairmen:
• Marketing: Daniel Dobin
• Development: Fraeda Kopman
• Projects and Allocations: Gershon W. Trimpol
• Treasurer: Neil Fox
• Audit Chair: Mitchel A. Maidman
• Directors:
• Seymour Brief
• Martin Cohen
• Paula Blaine Cohen
• Steven Einhorn
• Barry Feldman
• Annetta Weller Epstein
• Jacqueline Goldman
• Les Handelsman
• Stuart A. Jackson
• Barbara Kay
• Dina Leeds
• Gaby Ferman Lehrer
• Ann Lesser
• Daniel Schwarzwalder
• Secretary: Donna Fried Calcaterra

AFMDA Volunteers Needed

Another way to help is through volunteerism, a popular act where volunteers form a close bond to the people they serve and help. Everybody with a golden heart, even former volunteers of AFMDA who want to continue their good deeds and share more of what they've got with others, are still welcome to aid and donate. Many past volunteers have gained great experiences doing things that do not only enhance their personalities, but also spread their knowledge and involvement in MDA. Most of them have had the opportunity to speak at AFMDA events, as well as march in New York's Celebrate Israel Parade, attend Young Leadership events, and a whole lot more.

Why Donations Are Critical

Donating blood is a noble act that can help save other people's lives. If you think you have enough strength and compassion to do it, then it's time you join MDA. For more important information about local blood drives, visit our page or call local offices for an appointment to make a lasting impact that will benefit not only you, but also the people who need blood the most.