As we draw near to Thanksgiving in the United States, we wanted to share Omrit Israelovich Shefer’s story with you. She is a mother from Rishon LeZion, Israel, near Tel Aviv. Today she is feeling very thankful for you.

A few years ago she was in the middle of an aerobics training course in Netanya, Israel, when she suddenly went into cardiac arrest.

When she collapsed, the training hall was in panic and one of the trainers called MAGEN DAVID ADOM for help.

At the same time, another trainer saw a MAGEN DAVID ADOM ambulance on the street outside and flagged down the two EMTs.

Seconds later the EMTs began advanced resuscitation on Omrit, using a defibrillator to restart her heart. Less than two minutes after she collapsed, Omrit returned to life.

Moments later, she was on her way to the hospital, where a special pacemaker was implanted in her to prevent this from happening again. She was released from the hospital six days later.

“Thanks to the MAGEN DAVID ADOM team who saved my life,” said Omrit, “my children have a mother today — and I am grateful for that!”

Thank you for helping MAGEN DAVID ADOM save lives every day in Israel. There is no gift that means more to Israelis and their families.

Happy Thanksgiving and God bless you.