The founder and president of the first-responder organization United Hatzalah of Israel, Eli Beer, returned to Israel on Tuesday following a lengthy struggle with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
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Beer was infected with the virus during a fundraising mission for his organization in Florida last month.
Beer was brought back to Israel on the Adelson family's plane after several weeks of treatment in a Miami hospital, including several days under an induced coma and on a ventilator. He managed to get out of the plane by himself, despite struggling to walk.
Video: Moshe Ben Simhon
"We haven't seen in him for 6 weeks, he was on the verge o death, and now it's just amazing that we can see him and kiss him, we are dying to see him again," one of his daughters said just moments before his return.
Once he had descended the stairs to the tarmac, he and his wife embraced each other. "I want to thank the medical team that helped me make it back to Israel, and to Dr. Miriam Adelson and her husband [businessman and philanthropist] Sheldon Adelson, I love them so much," he said. He also gave a special gift to the physician who treated him in Miami and flew with him.
He later told Israel Hayom: "It's amazing to be back home, I did not think I would see my wife and children again."
On his Facebook page he wrote:
"What a journey ... What a great ending.
Thank you for bringing our father back home.
Thank you Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson.
With all the happiness and joy we feel, we don't forget all the people who are fighting for their lives right now, and all those who have lost their lives or lost someone they love.
We have so much to write and say and so many people to thank ... and we will be sharing more soon..
But for now, home sweet home. Thank you all for being here for us!♡ The Beer Family and Eli"
Dr. Miriam Adelson is the publisher of Israel Hayom. The Adelson family owns the company that is the primary shareholder in Israel Hayom.
