Miriam Adelson Donates 150 Life-Saving Ambucycles to United Hatzalah

“Anyone who saves a single life, it is as if they have saved an entire world. With that simple statement, our sages of old summed up the entirety of Judaism throughout the generations,” Adelson said.

By World Israel News Staff

A new unit of 150 life-saving ambucycles was dedicated by United Hatzalah president and founder Eli Beer with Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and benefactor Dr. Miriam Adelson on Tuesday.

The unit is named after Dr. Adelson and her late husband, Sheldon, one of Israel’s greatest philanthropists before he died in January.

Following remarks at Safra Square, outside Jerusalem City Hall, Hatzalah volunteers celebrated with a convoy around Jerusalem’s Old City.

“I understand the magic of riding a motorcycle. It is clear that it is necessary for you and for the sake of everyone who you are helping. In your hands, these two-wheeled vehicles will work for the good of all. They will be used for the greatest good and the ultimate mitzvah of saving lives,” Adelson said.

Quoting the Talmud, she added, “Anyone who saves a single life, it is as if they have saved an entire world. With that simple statement, our sages of old summed up the entirety of Judaism throughout the generations.”

After the festivities, the ambucycles were dispatched to different places around Israel.

Ambucycles play a key role in Hatzalah’s success because responding medics can avoid traffic congestion, road closures, debris or parking issues. When there’s an emergency and every second counts, the response time of an ambucycle medic averages 90 seconds.

According to United Hatzalah, each ambucycle responds to approximately 40 calls per month, roughly 480 calls a year. About 25 percent of all calls (120 annually) are deemed critical lifesaving situations. Each ambucycle is on the road responding to emergencies for at least three years and therefore will respond to around 1,440 calls and save 360 lives.