Magen David Adom (MDA) issued an urgent appeal on Wednesday, calling on the public across Israel to donate blood due to a severe shortage of blood supplies.

MDA warned that the national blood bank’s reserves have fallen to a critically low level, while demand from hospitals and the IDF remains high. MDA spokesperson Zaki Heller said that the blood supplies are at “an alarmingly low level.”

The organization emphasized that at any given moment, cancer patients requiring blood transfusions, women recovering from complicated childbirth, road accident victims, wounded IDF soldiers, surgical patients, and many others depend on a steady supply of blood. To maintain adequate supplies for Israel’s healthcare system, approximately 1,200 blood donations are needed every day.

Dr. Raphael Strugo, MDA’s Deputy Director General of Medicine and Blood Services, said, “Israel’s blood supply must be available at all times. During the summer we experience a significant drop in the number of blood donors, while the need for blood continues without interruption. Every unit of blood donated today could save a life as early as tomorrow.”

MDA Director General Eli Bin added, “Blood cannot be manufactured, cannot be imported at the moment it is needed, and cannot be replaced. Every donation can mean the difference between life and death for a cancer patient, a woman who has just given birth, a critically injured patient, or a child in need of lifesaving treatment. I urge everyone who is able—take a few minutes, donate blood, and help save lives.”

MDA noted that a single blood donation can help save up to three lives and urged everyone who is medically eligible to visit one of the organization’s donation centers today.

Potential donors can click on the MDA website or call 03-530040 for more information.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)