Donors create $10m matching grant for Magen David Adom UK

An American donor has created a $10million matching grant for Magen David Adom UK.

The Marcus Foundation, from Bernie and Billi Marcus, made the grant available to inspire more donations and complete Magen David Adom’s $130million project to build a new national blood services centre in Israel.

Magen David Adom say that with this grant, they hope to quickly raise the remaining funds to finish the project.

The facility, which will be the first of its kind, will be shielded to protect Israel’s blood reserves against missile, chemical and biological attack.

The six-story centre will have its three lower floors underground, in successively more shielded levels, to protect the blood supply and enable Magen David Adom’s employees to continue working, even when rockets are being launched at the country.

Daniel Burger, MDA UK chief executive, said: “Israel needs a larger blood facility to meet the requirements of a country that now has a population more than twice what it was when the current facility was built in Ramat Gan in the mid ’80s.

“But more than that, the facility now needs to be reinforced against missile, chemical, and biological attack given the importance of blood transfusions to the health of the nation and the increased military capabilities of Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas”..

Prof. Eilat Shinar, deputy director-general and director of Blood Services for Magen David Adom, added: “Completing this facility on time this spring will ensure we have the capacity to collect and process enough blood for Israel’s future needs.

“There are few things more important to Israel’s future than seeing this project to fruition. Blood is life.”