COVID-19: Community Steps Up to Support Cedars-Sinai
During an Unprecedented Time of Need, Individuals and Corporations Donate Supplies and Funds to Expand Care for Patients and Families in Crisis
During one of the nation’s most trying times, Cedars-Sinai supporters are stepping up to expand care for patients and families in crisis. This generosity allows the health system to remain a vital resource for timely treatment and care.
“We have been overwhelmed and humbled by the number of people offering to donate financial gifts and critical medical supplies in support of our patients, the medical center, Cedars-Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital and our employees,” said Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai. “These gifts, ranging from sanitizer and new masks to $150 individual donations and hundreds of thousands of dollars in corporate matching gifts, allow us to provide the best possible care for our diverse community and beyond.”
And while hundreds of donors to-date have made a tremendous impact on Cedars-Sinai, the need for resources continues. Several emergency response funds are now in place to support Cedars-Sinai's immediate response.
These emergency response funds are used for things like COVID-19 related research, training for nursing staff and employee needs, as well as to purchase supplies like new hand sanitizers, sanitizing wipes, latex-free gloves, clinical gowns, shoe covers, isolation masks and N95 masks. A complete list of needed personal protective equipment (PPE) can be found here.
Mike Singer, a Calabasas resident and CEO of Careismatic Brands Inc. – the makers of clothing brands like Cherokee, Dickies and Infinity scrubs – is one of Cedars-Sinai’s most recent donors, providing scrub pants, tops, jackets, hats and masks to the medical center. Singer also made a generous individual donation to the hospital in support of the nursing staff.
“This is a challenging time in history and our company has seen and heard first-hand the dire need for personal protective equipment, as well as the need for scrubs for frontline healthcare workers,” said Singer. “We know and trust the care Cedars-Sinai is providing to the most critical patients and consider it a privilege to support them in a time of great need.”
Singer has expanded his company’s donations beyond Cedars-Sinai to hudreds of other hard-hit hospitals across the nation.
“We care deeply about the brave healthcare workers and believe every one of us has to do our part to limit the spread, protect these frontline workers and, ultimately, help save lives,” said Singer.
In addition to Singer, local sports teams are among the organizations who have stepped-up to support Cedars-Sinai.
The Los Angeles Rams, in partnership with apparel partner Buddy's All Stars, donated 1,000 non-surgical masks made from an unused stock of last season's jersey material. And, the Los Angeles Clippers, in conjunction with Subway, donated 500 meals to staff over the course of two days, as well as 500 gift cards.
Other notable acts of generosity have come Cedars-Sinai board members who have donated significant monetary donations, as well as tens of thousands of masks and other supplies. The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, SLS and Peninsula Hotel have donated toiletries for Cedars-Sinai staff to be able to shower onsite and both the Elan Hotel and Sofitel have offered free and discounted room rates for frontline employees. And, more than 130 offers of meal donations have been made to the medical center.