On Friday morning, over 200 people ran in support of United Hatzalah in the Jerusalem Marathon. The runners raised over $90K in support of Israel’s largest community-based EMS organization ahead of the race. The money raised will go towards purchasing new vehicles and medical equipment, as well as training additional volunteers.
This year’s marathon theme paid tribute to security forces and rescue teams, and over 150 of the organization’s volunteer first responders from across the country participated, including many who rescued people under fire in the areas invaded by Hamas terrorists on October 7th. One of them
Some runners for United Hatzalah participated as part of Team Avraham, named after Avigdor Chai Avraham Lifshutz z”l, a teenager who tragically passed away three years ago. The Lifschutz family invited their friends and relatives to run and raise funds to donate a minilance in memoriam. The minilance is a nimble, four-seat response vehicle that is narrow enough to allow volunteer first responders to maneuver between traffic while responding to emergencies.
“Every year, we are proud to take part in the Jerusalem marathon for the great cause of lifesaving, and this year will be even more special,” said United Hatzalah President and Founder Eli Beer ahead of the race. “Many of the volunteers taking part in this year’s marathon were involved in the response to October 7th as first responders, were enlisted to the army as reservists, or were evacuated from their homes in northern and southern Israel. Despite these circumstances, they continued to put others before themselves and save lives on a daily basis ever since. I am incredibly proud of them and of all our volunteers, and I am grateful to the Jerusalem Marathon for the tribute that they so deserve.”
