96 Years Of Saving Lives: Magen David Adom Marks Anniversary with Reunion Event

Magen David Adom Team During the Swords of Iron War

Magen David Adom

MDA Reunion 

Kobi Hershtal & Eli Bin

{Credit: Magen David Adom

Jeffrey Green, a 62-year-old resident of Beersheba, who made Aliyah from Washington, received an award for donating blood 100 times from Rami Miller & Eli Bin

Credit: Magen David Adom

Magen David Adom (MDA) marked its 96th anniversary this week with a special event at its national headquarters in Ramla, bringing together patients whose lives were saved, the emergency responders who treated them, blood donors, volunteers, employees, and partners who help make MDA’s lifesaving mission possible every day.

Founded on June 7, 1930, by a group of physicians and community leaders in Tel Aviv, Magen David Adom has grown from a small local first-aid organization into Israel’s national emergency medical, blood, and disaster response service. Today, MDA operates a nationwide network of tens of thousands of employees and volunteers, ambulances, Mobile Intensive Care Units, emergency motorcycles, helicopters, blood services, and a 24/7 emergency dispatch system serving millions of people across Israel.

The anniversary event focused on the people behind MDA’s work. Patients reunited with the teams who saved their lives, sharing stories that illustrated the organization’s impact from the first emergency call to hospital care and recovery.

Among those honored was 8-year-old Yosef Cohen from Asael, whose life was saved after MDA responders quickly recognized that a severe headache was a life-threatening emergency and rushed him to the hospital, where doctors discovered a brain hemorrhage. Attendees also heard the story of Daniel Suissa of Petah Tikva, who survived cardiac arrest after his neighbor, guided by MDA dispatchers, began CPR and used a defibrillator before MDA crews arrived.

The event also highlighted the story of Kobi Hershtal, an MDA volunteer and IDF soldier who was critically wounded during combat operations in Gaza. After suffering devastating injuries and severe blood loss, Kobi’s life was saved in part through emergency transfusions of whole blood. Following months of surgeries and rehabilitation, he joined the celebration and received a new MDA volunteer uniform and responder kit as he works toward returning to volunteer service.

A special recognition was awarded to Jeffrey Green, 62, of Beersheba, who recently reached a remarkable milestone by donating his 100th unit of blood. For decades, Green has been a regular blood donor, helping ensure that lifesaving blood products are available for patients, trauma victims, and soldiers across Israel. He continues to donate today and was honored for his longstanding commitment to saving lives through blood donation.

MDA also honored Rafael Advanced Defense Systems for its outstanding efforts in encouraging blood donations among employees and for its longstanding partnership with MDA Blood Services.

Throughout its 96-year history, MDA has responded to Israel’s most challenging emergencies, from wars and terrorist attacks to natural disasters. Since October 7, 2023, its teams have continued providing lifesaving care nationwide under fire.

“For 96 years, Magen David Adom has been built on the dedication of people who choose to help others in their most difficult moments. This anniversary is not only a celebration of our history, but of the patients, volunteers, employees, blood donors, partners, and supporters who make our mission possible every day,” said MDA Director-General Eli Bin. “We are proud of what has been accomplished over the past 96 years and remain committed to continuing this lifesaving mission for generations to come.”