Health care workers and other emergency professionals are working around the clock to protect public health and slow the spread of COVID-19. Working with the Department of Health Services and Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona organizations and businesses have stepped up to provide much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies to these frontline workers. 

Recent donations include:

• Intel donated 81,000—and counting—surgical masks;

• Covetrus, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, donated 1,000 bottles—totaling 180 liters—of hand sanitizer;

• And IRIS USA Inc., a manufacturer with a location in Surprise, donated 20,000 surgical masks.

Governor Ducey last month established the Arizona Together initiative, linking Arizonans to resources during the COVID-19 health emergency. As part of the initiative, the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund provides support to organizations working to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 in Arizona. 

The Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation earlier this month donated $5 million to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund. The contribution will support the purchase of masks, gloves, gowns and other PPE for medical professionals throughout the state. Other donations to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund include $1 million from the Arizona Cardinals and Chairman and President Michael Bidwill, $250,000 from Arizona Public Service (APS), $100,000 from Waymo, $65,000 from Southwest Gas and $50,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield. 

Governor Ducey also announced an agreement with Honeywell to produce more than 6 million N95 masks for the state over the next year. Upon production of the masks, the Arizona Department of Health Services will deliver the masks to county health departments for further distribution to health, safety and emergency response workers.

Last week, the Governor joined the team at Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV) to help deliver 10,000 FDA-approved N95 masks to Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. The masks were donated by CCV as part of their initiative to help those serving Arizonans on the frontlines.

The Arizona National Guard is also working with private-sector partners to get personal protective equipment to frontline workers. Recently, the state received enough material to make 3 million surgical gowns to distribute to hospitals and medical professionals. 

Additionally, Arizona received 100 additional ventilators from the Strategic National Stockpile to be deployed to critical need areas, including tribal communities. The additional ventilators came at the request of Governor Ducey and Senator McSally to President Trump.

Individuals and organizations interested in donating can learn more about ways to contribute to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund at ArizonaTogether.org. Organizations in need of financial support for programs that are supporting Arizonans during the COVID-19 outbreak can also submit their initial requests on the website.

 

AZ Big Media is looking to spotlight those individuals and businesses that have stepped up in the face of the current crisis we are all living through and made a difference in the communities in which we live, work and play. Do you know someone or an organization we should spotlight? Send the details to michael.gossie@azbigmedia.com.