OPINION: There’s no such word as ‘no’ at Magen David Adom

While touring around Israel’s new state-of-the-art blood centre with MDA UK, Professor Eilat Shinar, Director of blood services joked: “at Magen David Adom first we say yes and then we think about how to do it.”

Given the impressive size and scale of Israel’s new $130 million missile-proof blood centre, her statement certainly rang true.

Yet, it was clear from talking to the dedicated staff and volunteers at MDA UK, that this new centre would be an essential part of MDA’s lifesaving work.

I had the privilege of spending three days with MDA UK this week, touring around Israel, exploring MDA’s Bloomberg station, and meeting the generous British donors and fundraisers.

Speaking to each donor, it was clear how much MDA meant to them and in many cases to their families.

They were all keen to emphasise the work MDA does outside of Israel, saving Ukranians from Russian forces, or helping victims of the Haiti earthquake. It was amazing to see so many people, from a range of backgrounds, united behind MDA’s mission of saving human life.

Though I had of course heard about Magen David Adom, I didn’t truly appreciate the scale and value of the organisation until this trip.

I was especially inspired by our medic chaperone, a British expat, who left the comforts of his home in Edgware, to work for Magen David Adom. Last month, he had risked his life after he had been sent to help and save Israelis injured in the tragic Dizengoff terror attack.

I was genuinely moved by his dedication, as well as the generosity of the donors and fundraisers. It was wonderful to see British diaspora support and serve their Israeli brothers and sisters in such a genuine way.