CHEST Foundation and American Mask Rally launch campaign to distribute masks to frontline, essential workers in underserved communities
July 7, 2020
The CHEST Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American College of Chest Physicians® (CHEST), and American Mask Rally have joined forces to help combat the spread of COVID-19. Through the Buy-A-Mask, Give-A-Mask campaign, the CHEST Foundation seeks $50,000 in contributions to support the donation of reusable personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline and essential workers in underserved communities that have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic.
“Our goal is to help the people we heavily rely on and are most at risk during this pandemic by providing the protective equipment needed to help keep people safe as they serve others and perform essential duties that benefit us all,” said CHEST Foundation President Edward J. Diamond, MD, MBA, FCCP. “As we move towards a solution, it is of the utmost importance to provide information on the appropriate use of and access to PPE to protect those most at risk. Our clinicians on the front lines and essential workers need to protect themselves as well as others from constant exposure. You can help us in this effort. As a supporter, you will be directly protecting people living and working in some of the most underserved communities.”
The Buy-A-Mask, Give-A Mask campaign will directly aid frontline workers by providing quality, reusable PPE supplied by the nonprofit organization, American Mask Rally. The nonprofit was formed when the aerospace engineering team at Altavian based in Florida sought to give back during this COVID-19 crisis. With guidance from doctors, physicians and nurses working at the University of Florida, the reusable, easy-to-breathe-through, easy-to-sterilize and comfortable-to-wear masks were developed.
“The message is clear that masks are vital to protect the health care providers, patients and others most at risk from exposure to COVID-19,” said John Perry, President of the American Mask Rally. “This partnership and the launch of the Buy-A-Mask, Give-A-Mask campaign is the opportunity for us all, together, to take immediate action to help equip, educate and empower communities to fight back against this epidemic.”
The first shipment of masks, purchased through donated funds, will be sent to COVID-19 hot spot locations as determined by CHEST and the CHEST Foundation. Additional masks will be donated to American Mask Rally for distribution to frontline and essential workers in the underserved communities that are in great need.
Early outreach has already begun, and a CHEST Foundation-led communications campaign is underway. Donations to the Buy-A-Mask, Give-A Mask campaign fund can be made directly at chestfoundation.org/donate.
About the American College of Chest Physicians and the CHEST Foundation
The American College of Chest Physicians® (CHEST) is the global leader in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chest diseases. Its mission is to champion advanced clinical practice, education, communication and research in chest medicine. It serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 19,000+ members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. For information about the American College of Chest Physicians, and its flagship journal CHEST®, visit chestnet.org.
The CHEST Foundation, the charitable foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians, champions lung health by supporting clinical research, community service and patient education. Through CHEST Foundation-supported programs, CHEST’s 19,000+ members engage in advancing the lung health of millions of patients in local communities around the world. More than 95 cents of every dollar raised goes toward advancing the foundation’s mission-based programming. Since its inception, the foundation has provided more than $10 million in funding for clinical research and community service, with a reach that spans more than 60 countries. For more information about the CHEST Foundation, visit chestfoundation.org.