One night 24 years ago when he was one year old, Moshe Biton’s parents came into his room to find him unable to breathe and his skin turned completely blue. They rushed him to the MDA station near their home in Hatzor HaGlilit in northern Israel. Ronen Kadosh, then a young EMT at MDA, started lifesaving operations. Within minutes, baby Moshe was able to breathe again.
Years later, with the outbreak of coronavirus, Moshe lost his job as an event photographer. He saw an ad about a paramedic course that had opened at a station near his home. He took it as a sign and successfully completed the course.
Moshe began working as a Covid-19 testing volunteer and ambulance EMT at the Hatzor HaGlilit station. About two weeks later, he met Ronen Kadosh, the MDA paramedic who saved his life all those years ago. Amazingly, Ronen immediately recognized Moshe.
“I remember the incident as if it were yesterday. I started my shift on an ordinary Friday, when suddenly Moshe’s father ran into the station. I immediately started respiratory assistance and within a few minutes Moshe’s skin color was back to normal and he literally came back to life,” explained Ronen.
Ronen shared the story of how he saved Moshe’s life. It was an emotional moment for Moshe, and it inspired him to do more. Today, in addition to his regular EMT shifts, he serves as an instructor, teaching others how to save lives.
“The idea of becoming an EMT and volunteering at MDA was always there but was implemented at the height of the coronavirus. During one of my first shifts, I saw Ronen looking at me. He asked if I knew who he was and of course I said I didn’t, and then he said that he saved my life when I was one.
“I heard the story from his side for the first time and it just gave me chills. You meet the person who saved your life and suddenly you work with him after 24 years,” said Moshe.
“Since we met, I’ve been in touch with Moshe, and I see him almost every day,” said Ronen. “Every time his parents see me, they immediately shout, ‘This is who saved the child; this is our redeeming angel.’ To this day, they haven’t forgotten.”