Dear Ezer Mizion Family,
In the midst of one of the most turbulent times that the world has ever known, the need for Ezer Mizion services has significantly increased. We thought it important to stop the rush of activity for a moment and update you on what’s being done in your neighboring departments and divisions. Amazing work with real dedication!
We are each busy with the challenging work going on within our own departments and staffs — and now, at a time of national and international emergency, it is heartening and comforting to discover that we’re all part of the enormous efforts to bring emotional and physical sustenance and recovery to the Jewish people.
How fortunate we are to be on the giving end!
Bone Marrow Registry
While meticulously following the directives of the Health Department and international regulations, the Collection Center is continuing to collect stem cells from matching donors. The saving of lives goes on, without compromise!
This month, we even had a record number of collections done by our collection center with a total of 41 lifesaving transplants!
In a complex logistic effort, stem cell units were recently sent from Ben Gurion Airport via Germany to a cancer patient in Italy. Additional lifesaving units were flown on cargo planes, in the absence of regular passenger flights. Each case was its own complex assignment, which had our team tapping in to massive networking and creativity to achieve our mission.
Cancer Patient Support Services
In order to protect the health of cancer patients, who are Corona virus high risk — Ezer Mizion’s dedicated staff was compelled to break off all face-to-face contact with the patients. The connection continues “long distance” with packages of sweets, phone calls, and surprises and online connections.
In a joint project with Schneider Childrens Medical Center and other partners, Ezer Mizion has organized a day camp for children of the hospital’s doctors and nursing staff, enabling the medical teams to continue their vital work even when schools are closed.
Geriatric Services Division
The senior population is considered highly vulnerable due to the Coronavirus.
An impressive service cushion was set up by Ezer Mizion Geriatric Services team to bolster and support the aging population in Israel.
- A hotline for emotional support and provision of medicines, food supplies and vital needs for seniors. Many of them do not have computer access or family members who can help them. The many calls that come in are chilling! Elderly people break into tears as they tell of their loneliness, incidents of illness and neglect that require urgent intervention, and above all, a large number who call looking for a listening ear and human warmth. The response of the dedicated staff is really amazing and we are so proud of them for their efficient
- In addition, the Division has introduced the “Bonding with Motion” program — a home-based age-adapted fitness program to maintain the seniors’ health. The program is available on video and as a handbook that can be downloaded at the Ezer Mizion Hebrew website.
- Hotline support, tips, and guidance — unique for the Corona period, serving the families of Alzheimer’s patients at the Tzipporah Fried Alzheimer Family Support Center.
Mental Health Division
Some rehab services are continuing, in accordance with Health Department directives, in the understanding that maintenance of a sane routine is critical for mental health clients.
In addition, we are witness to a dramatic rise in the number of callers seeking a listening ear, support and someone to share their anxiety and tension with. The Division foresaw this need in advance and the “Yedidei Nefesh” hotline has stepped up its activity. Population-adapted staff is responding with utmost sensitivity to many hundreds of calls from clients.
The Division has also created handbooks for families of clients on how to deal appropriately with the situation and keep up a normal daily schedule, as well as instructions for physical activity. The handbooks can be downloaded online at the Division website.
AAC (Alternative Augmentative Communication) Center
In a project specifically targeting hospitalized Corona patients who are on respiratory support in hospitals, Ezer Mizion’s AAC Center has compiled a special handbook of communication boards, tailored to individual needs. The handbooks were sent on request to 15 hospitals around Israel and are also available online in several languages for downloading on Ezer Mizion’s site.
Special Children’s Division
Ezer Mizion’s Judith Pfeuffer Daycare Center Network and Ezer Mizion’s kindergartens, serving babies, toddlers and young children with complex special needs, are continuing to provide online guidance to parents.
The Respite Program has been stepped up and is working around the clock to alleviate the difficulties parents are experiencing ever since all special education schools and recreation frameworks were shut down by the Ministry of Helath.
Since the educational system, including services for children with special needs, has been suspended, children with complex difficulties are at home and the parents are experiencing severe hardships! In response, a hotline for parents has been set up in addition to an information center on the local municipal information line.
Currently, the focus is primarily on the daily function and didactic fronts. Information on entitlements through other entities with additional support options are provided aong with personalized learning materials for each child that were created by EzerMizion professional staff.
Ambulance Transport
Mobility impaired patients are frequently classified as Corona high risk and must be more careful today than ever not to use public transportation! Our devoted ambulance staff continues driving the mobility impaired, using full protection and personal responsibility, as required.
The Linked to Life department is working together with the branches at this time, with close cooperation and full energy!
Linked to Life – in a big way!!!
The Linked to Life volunteer network is working these days at full steam, together with Ezer Mizion branches throughout Israel, providing solutions for thousands of people every day. Requests for assistance stream in, and are provided thanks to exceptional cooperation with local authorities through municipal hotlines, ensuring provision of responses for the needs of the most complex and needy residents.
Haifa and Northern Region Branch, under the leadership of Moshe Beeri, joined the authorities in his region in answering the ongoing calls prompted by residents fragile medical and financial situation. The branch identifies needs all the time and works unflaggingly to develop appropriate solutions.
Jerusalem Branch is buzzing with activity — distributing food, delivering medications to seniors, and countless other small and big kindnesses, in response to needs that arise.
In Netivot and Southern Region Branch, the staff works tirelessly helping families of special children by arranging babysitters and distributing cheerful craft kits, food distribution to the needy, and solutions to many requests, stories, and personal needs. It is so thrilling to hear about these and about the response that was given!
Last week, the Rechovot Branch worked to distribute 1500 (!) meals to seniors, patients, and people in quarantine, in collaboration with the Municipality, and responded to the a range of needs of city residents.
There is the “Kimcha D’pischa” project in Kefar Saba and other branches, providing produce and Pesach products for families who were struggling with serious health challenges before Corona came along.
At the Matan Center in Nechalim for young adults who are cognitively perfect but have severe physical impairments, the staff is active online to maintain contact with center members who have stopped attending due to Corona. Special gift kits for Pesach were prepared for every Center member along with a moving poem.
Craft kits were sent out in Modi’in Ilit and other cities to orphans and cancer patient families. Devoted mentors do their work from afar in Elad. And more and more!
The activity goes on around the clock and we are totally awed by the energetic staffs deployed across the country!
Linked to Life teams have recently added hundreds of new volunteers to its rosters, strengthening the existing support network across the country, working from morning to night.
Craft kits for the orphans and patients of Modi’in Ilit
Medicines to the door for seniors and patients — Linked to Life
Close collaboration with the Home Front Command
Distribution of Kimcha D’pischa — Rechovot branch
Kits for children with special needs — Netivot
Food distribution — Tzefat
And that was just a small taste J
