Donor Story: Dr. Eli Weil

Longtime Magen David Adom donor Dr. Eli Weil wanted to make a lasting impact, saving lives and honoring his family. The 91-year-old retired internist and nephrologist decided to make a contribution of $1 million to ensure a Weil family ambulance is part of Magen David Adom’s ambulance fleet in perpetuity.

The life of an ambulance in service is typically seven years. To date, Dr. Weil has funded two ambulances for MDA, but the ambulance fund is his most significant gift. His new contribution will be invested and the interest used to provide a new Weil family ambulance whenever the one in use needs to be replaced.

“When my first ambulance went into service in 2011, a woman gave birth in it on its first call,” says Dr. Weil. “Learning that was extremely gratifying. I’m in the lifesaving business.”

“MDA is important to me and not long ago I started thinking about a way to honor my family on a permanent basis,” says Dr. Weil.

Eli Weil’s late wife, Croce (rhymes with Lucy), was supportive of his philanthropy and attended both ambulance dedications, as did his two beloved nephews, Dr. Howard Weil, an anesthesiologist in Nashville, and Dr. Martin Weil, a dermatologist in Atlanta. The first ambulance was dedicated in memory of his brother, his nephews’ father.

“I have no children, so this program will leave a lasting legacy for me, my family, and the State of Israel,” says Dr. Weil.