American Friends of Magen David Adom 2012 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY American Friends of Magen David Adom Burgas, Bulgaria, July 2012 2 2012 AFMDA REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY Contents Message from AFMDA’s National Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 5 Message from MDA’s Director-General Eli Bin 6 Operation Pillar of Defense: Attack on the Home Front 7 Terror in Bulgaria: Rescuing Israelis Abroad 8 MDA in 2012: From the Front Lines 9 MDA in 2012: Ready to Respond 10 AFMDA: Looking Ahead 11 Your Gift at Work in Israel 12 2012 Financial Reports 14 About Us & Contact AFMDA 15 2012 AFMDA REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 3 4 2012 AFMDA REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY Message from AFMDA’s National Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 2012: In a Year of Sustained Terror, Your Support Helped MDA Save Israeli Lives The year 2012 reminded us that while Israel’s security That means recognizing current challenges like the need measures have eliminated most suicide bombings inside the to replenish ambulances that have already logged hundreds country, its citizens still face dangers at home and abroad. of thousands of miles. But it also means acknowledging There was the late-summer bus bombing of Israeli tourists significant future undertakings, like the need to build a new in Bulgaria that killed five Israelis and the Bulgarian driver. National Blood Center to replace the current structure, In addition, incessant rocket attacks from Gaza killed six which is vulnerable to attack because of the expanded range people, terrorized tens of thousands of Israeli civilians, and of Hamas’ and Hezbollah’s rockets, and which no longer has resulted in November’s Operation Pillar of Defense. Both the capacity to meet the needs of Israel’s growing population. of these incidents serve as stark reminders that terrorism continues to seek out Israelis wherever they are. Regardless of the challenges before us, we’ll face them together, guided by our simple but profound mission to save But 2012 also taught us that Magen David Adom lives in Israel. At AFMDA, we’ll keep you connected to that knows no bounds when it comes to saving Israeli lives. mission. And we hope that you, in turn, will continue to Few organizations have professionals and volunteers bless Israel with your generosity, securing a future for MDA who fearlessly run toward danger. However, for MDA that will allow it to save Israelis, no matter what dangers or paramedics and EMTs, that’s just part of the job. And in other medical emergencies they face. a year in which events could have cost many Israeli lives, MDA’s world-class emergency response system operated at full force, dramatically lessening terrorism’s deadly impact. Your generosity and support helped make it all happen. Together, American donors sponsored 91 lifesaving ambulances for Israel and raised critical funds to upgrade equipment and enhance training for MDA’s 14,000 volunteers and professionals. For MDA, an organization that doesn’t receive Israeli government funding, that makes all the difference. We all had important causes to support in 2012. But this year, more than 100,000 people chose to support MDA, an organization existentially dedicated to a core Jewish value — life. MARK D. LEBOW ARNOLD GERSON Chairman, AFMDA Chief Executive Officer, AFMDA Looking ahead, we’ll continue supporting MDA, whose mission of saving lives in Israel hasn’t changed since 1930. 2012 AFMDA REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 5 Message from MDA’s Director-General Eli Bin MDA and AFMDA’s Unshakable Bond Dear Friends, The support provided to Magen David Adom in Burgas, Bulgaria, demonstrate clearly the by the American Jewish community through necessity for maintaining the highest degree of AFMDA is unparalleled. AFMDA is the largest preparedness at all times. single source of voluntary financial support to MDA in the world, including Israel itself. But, beyond the day-to-day realities of our work, I want you to know what a difference your support This simple fact underscores your deep and makes in the morale and spirit of the people of unshakable dedication to the safety and well-being Israel. You strengthen our mission — and for that, of the people of Israel. It’s a commitment that goes we remain eternally grateful. beyond financial support — it reflects the historic bond that we are indeed “one people” who share a culture and tradition that mandates the moral imperative to “be responsible, one for the other.” From a practical viewpoint, AFMDA helps ensure that, no matter what the crisis or emergency, MDA’s lifesaving medical help and other vital services will be there. In addition to more than 500,000 individual emergency calls during 2012, MDA’s timely and effective action during last fall’s Operation Pillar of Defense crisis and the rescue ELI BIN and care provided to victims of the terrorist attack Director-General, Magen David Adom 6 2012 AFMDA REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY Operation Pillar of Defense: Attack on the Home Front Saving Lives Under Fire and Lessons Learned In November, the line between “home front” and “front line” became indistinct in Israel. Months of ceaseless rocket attacks endured by Israelis culminated in Operation Pillar of Defense, and yet again MDA demonstrated why it is so vital to Israeli citizens and to the nation. When Israelis heard rocket-warning sirens, they took comfort in knowing the next sirens would be those of MDA ambulances rushing to the scene. While bomb shelters and the Iron Dome protected many Israelis, others were not so fortunate. For them, MDA paramedics quickly came to their aid — often at great personal risk — to treat the injured and save lives. During Operation Pillar of Defense, MDA first-responders treated some 419 injured people, including 20 soldiers. Sadly, six victims could not be saved. Each life lost was one too many, but considering the barrage of rockets from Gaza, the toll could have been much higher. With MDA on the highest level of alert, dispatch operators working out of bomb shelters sent hundreds of ambulances to answer thousands of calls across the country. MDA paramedics in the south made the heartrending decision to leave their families in bomb shelters while they rushed to save lives at the sites of rocket attacks. Over 20 paramedics from the United States came to Israel to volunteer their help during the emergency response. As the guardian of Israel’s national blood reserves, MDA also increased blood collection efforts during the conflict to ensure there would be enough safe blood available. Israel’s 8 million people rely on the strength of MDA’s professional staff and volunteers, whether it’s during the routine of daily life or in times of crisis like Operation Pillar of Defense — knowing that whenever and wherever they need emergency care, MDA will be there. 2012 AFMDA REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 7 Terror in Bulgaria: Rescuing Israelis Abroad MDA Leads Unprecedented Mission to Bring Home Israeli Victims In 2012, terrorism’s deadly impact reached Israelis abroad. But thanks to an extraordinary mobilization effort by MDA, victims did not have to wait long for emergency medical care and, ultimately, to be taken home. The July terrorist bombing of a tour bus in Burgas, Bulgaria, killed five Israelis and seriously injured 33 others. The Bulgarian bus driver was also killed in the blast, set off by an alleged Hezbollah suicide bomber. It was a shocking event, turning Burgas, a normally quiet resort town popular with visiting Israelis, into a scene of carnage and chaos. News of the attack quickly made its way to MDA officials in Israel, who sprang into action and launched an unprecedented effort to go to Burgas, attend to the victims, and bring them home to Israel for treatment. It was among the most well-coordinated and effective rescue operations ever executed by MDA. Within five hours of the attack — and in cooperation with the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Israel Defense Forces — MDA sent a delegation of paramedics, physicians, and medical supplies to Bulgaria. All through the night, MDA cared for and transported victims to planes that would fly them back to Israel. During the operation, MDA maintained communications with the victims’ families back in Israel and helped make arrangements for those who did not survive the bombing. In less than 24 hours, all the victims were back in Israel. The horrific terrorist attack reminded everyone that Israelis can be targeted wherever they are in the world. But it also demonstrated the strength and resolve of MDA to travel anywhere and do anything in its power to maintain a constant state of readiness in order to mitigate the losses — and bring Israelis home. 8 2012 AFMDA REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY MDA in 2012: From the Front Lines Jasmine Feingold: Champion Rower, MDA Paramedic Helps Woman Back in Action Thanks to MDA Deliver Twins…Over the Phone Tel Aviv native Jasmine Feingold’s courageous victory in MDA’s dedication to saving lives in Israel includes helping the 2012 Israeli Rowing Championships was the stuff of new lives begin. miracles. But if it wasn’t for MDA’s quick response to an accident three years prior, it might never have happened. An Israeli woman expecting twins, Meital Shiri, was home alone in December when she suddenly went into labor despite being only 34 weeks pregnant. Panicked and unable to get to the hospital, she gave birth to the first child alone. At that point, she had the presence of mind to call MDA, the one organization she knew would immediately help. Maya Aloni, the MDA paramedic and dispatcher who took her call, told Shiri how to handle the newborn and guided her through the initial phases of delivering the second child — while simultaneously rushing an ambulance with MDA Feingold, 23, has been a champion rower since she won paramedics to Shiri’s home.