The year 2020 will forever be remembered as a time of unprecedented challenges and upheaval.
As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of organizations like the American Red Cross became more evident than ever before.
During a time of increasing blood shortages caused by the pandemic, Colcom Foundation made a substantial grant to the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the impact of which still reverberates in the lives potentially saved in these communities.
The timeline of the crisis traces back to January 2020, when the first U.S. case of COVID-19 emerged.
The urgency of the situation led to the U.S. declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency in February, followed by a national emergency declaration on March 13.
As the virus rapidly spread, states issued stay-at-home orders, leading to mask-wearing, social distancing, and remote work. Schools and colleges transitioned to virtual learning, and unemployment surged across demographics, leaving millions without jobs.
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Securing Lifelines
From the onset of the coronavirus outbreak, the American Red Cross recognized the critical importance of ensuring a consistent and sufficient blood supply.
With countless lives depending on blood transfusions, the organization swiftly devised plans to support its Blood Services staff and mobilize volunteer blood donors. The goal was clear: to maintain the lifeline that countless individuals would rely on for their survival.
Responding to a Crisis
The pandemic-induced disruptions and uncertainty about transmittance led to blood shortages, posing a potential threat to patient care.
Recognizing the gravity of this situation, Colcom Foundation’s substantial donation of $500,000 to the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania came with a focused objective: to avert a looming blood shortage and secure the health and well-being of individuals in need.
In the face of unprecedented challenges, the Red Cross moved swiftly to establish safety protocols for both donors and staff participating in blood drives and donation centers.
Pioneering Biomedical Services: Aiding COVID-19 Patients
The American Red Cross actively contributed to battling the pandemic through its biomedical services.
The practice of testing blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies was incorporated to provide convalescent plasma to immunocompromised patients. The surge in variants increased the need for this vital resource, demonstrating the Red Cross’s ability to respond and adapt to changing circumstances.
As a result of their efforts, the shortages in blood supply were mitigated, saving untold numbers of lives.
At the heart of Colcom Foundation’s philanthropic endeavors is the dedication to our planet’s betterment and its inhabitants’ welfare.
The Foundation is a champion of conservation, environmental education, sustainable agriculture, the safeguarding of natural habitats, and the dignity of human life.
During the pandemic, Colcom Foundation provided operating support grants amounting to over $1.85 million to 51 nonprofit organizations serving southwestern Pennsylvania that were impacted.
John Barsotti, the President of Colcom Foundation, said, “These community and environmental organizations are treasures because they improve our quality of life.”
The Foundation’s decision to extend a helping hand was rooted in its recognition of the commitment of these organizations to the well-being of the community, even during trying circumstances.
Colcom Foundation’s support of The American Red Cross was not merely a financial gesture; it was a vote of confidence in the American Red Cross’s ability to navigate and overcome challenges and thereby safeguard human life.
The Foundation worked behind the scenes – an invisible partner in the untold stories of individuals who received transfusions, the critical procedures enabled, the lives saved, the families reunited and the hope rekindled—all because of the availability of a stable blood supply.
By bolstering The Red Cross’ efforts to maintain an adequate blood supply, the Foundation aligned itself with the Red Cross’s mission to alleviate human suffering and enhance community resilience—values they share in their quest to protect both human life and the environment.
While caregivers and medical professionals stood on the front line and deserve applause and glory, they could not have accomplished their mission without the funding and support of organizations like Colcom Foundation.
The Foundation’s generosity to The Red Cross and other nonprofits also enabled their continued existence through the worst of the pandemic and as the region began to return to normal.
Colcom Foundation encapsulates the potential for philanthropy to bridge gaps, alleviate critical shortages, and ensure that vital services continue even in the face of unprecedented challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their work stands as a testament to the transformative power of cooperation and collaboration, especially in times of tragedy and adversity.