A strong spirit of giving among the community has helped carry an important message at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus – that we are all in this together.
In the face of this unprecedented crisis, individuals and organizations across the state are bringing hope to the fight against COVID-19 through gifts supporting UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and the CU Anschutz Medial Campus.
Together, we have already generated tremendous philanthropic momentum to address the rapidly changing threat of COVID-19, with generous patients, alumni and benefactors contributing more than $2.26 million and counting for relief initiatives. This collective effort gained momentum quickly thanks to lead gifts from early funders, including The Anschutz Foundation, Cindy and Dan Caruso, CoBank, Judi Cogen, Alan Cogen, the Cielo Foundation, the Good Ventures Foundation, Open Philanthropy, the Patten-Davis Foundation, and ZOMA Foundation.
The outpouring of kindness and support from the community is vital to our ability to protect the health and well-being of the doctors, nurses and other team members who are devoting their time and energy to caring for patients, as well as reinforce the front lines as staff work quickly to save lives. Funds are also providing invaluable resources to University of Colorado Hospital as it adapts quickly to this rapidly changing environment.
In addition, philanthropic support has helped accelerate the pace of research, enabling the campus’s leading researchers to explore and define new possibilities for the prevention and treatment of the virus. This research will inform diagnosis and treatment of this disease in real time, and will position us to learn as much as possible from this pandemic while better preparing us for future public health challenges.
While these are uncertain times, philanthropy allows the CU Anschutz Medical Campus to continue to be nimble and innovative with our approaches to novel challenges and adversities, and to respond swiftly to immediate needs and emerging opportunities during the crisis. As noted by Richard Zane, MD, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, “This is the most important challenge our generation of healthcare will face. Philanthropic support gives us the flexibility to allocate resources to the greatest needs of our patients, families and caregivers during this unprecedented pandemic.”
Chancellor Don Elliman said, “The generosity that the entire community has demonstrated toward our campus during one of the most unprecedented healthcare challenges of our time is extraordinary. As we continue to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, we extend our deepest gratitude to the many individuals who have given of themselves to help us ensure the safety of our communities.”
People have come together in remarkable ways. In particular, patients have generously contributed 350 gifts, and counting, with half of the gifts from those who have given to the campus for the first time.
Philanthropic support has gone a long way in ensuring that the CU Anschutz Medical Campus remains a world-class leader in healthcare as the pandemic continues to evolve. The collective power of many gifts, no matter the size, has made an incredible impact and tangible difference in the fight against COVID-19.
Guest contributor: Courtney Keener, communications specialist, Office of Advancement