On Monday afternoon, a 10-year-old child suffered a severe allergic reaction at his house in Beit Shemesh. His mother immediately alerted emergency services.

United Hatzalah volunteer EMT and law student Tuvia Greenberg was writing a research paper when he received the alert on his communications device. He immediately dropped what he was doing and rushed to the house, which was just two buildings away. 

Arriving at the scene in under 90 seconds, Greenberg did a quick assessment and found that the child had a rash on his face and neck, as well as a swollen tongue. The mother explained that the child, who was allergic to milk, had accidentally put his hands in his mouth after touching powdered milk.

Greenberg immediately recognized the symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction—a severe allergic reaction that is life-threatening—and quickly administered an EpiPen to the patient. Moments after the injection, the child’s condition began to improve. 

Greenberg monitored the child’s vitals and waited until the arrival of the intensive care ambulance, which transported the child to the hospital for further observation and treatment.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to help save a child’s life,” Greenberg reflected after the incident. “It was my first time injecting an EpiPen and it’s amazing how this simple tool can make such a difference.” Photo credit: United Hatzalah