Volunteer and Donation Opportunities
March 20, 2020
Dear Research Community Colleagues:
With the rapidly changing landscape during the COVID-19 outbreak, many of us are reflecting on ways in which we can help. Many have already done so, through donation of supplies and novel research approaches to the disease. We are working to identify additional ways in which we can lend our assistance at this time and have included suggested opportunities below. If you have additional ideas on how the research community can offer assistance, please email ResearchersRespond2COVID@CUAnschutz.edu.Redirect Critical Supplies
Several critical supplies are in short supply in the medical community. Please consider donating available supplies from your labs.
What types of supplies are needed?
- RNA extraction kits
- Nasal swabs
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including face shields, masks and gowns
- There are many other lab supplies and reagents which may be useful. Please review the current listing of requested items, and check back often as needs continue to evolve.
How do I donate?
Please watch for an email early next week with specific details about drop-off locations. In the meantime, please review the list of requested items. This list will change as needs evolve, so check back often. If you have any questions, please email SuppliesforCOVID@CUAnschutz.edu.
Volunteer Your Expertise
With the anticipated increase in healthcare utilization due to COVID-19, there is an increased need for medical staff, including RNs and LPNs.
What types of opportunities are available?
There is a potential need for direct patient care or non-patient oriented roles for those wishing to assist in that way. Even if credentials have lapsed, an opportunity with some recertification may exist. Based on your credentials and preferences, our clinical partners will work with you to provide appropriate placement and onboarding, should the need arise.
How do I get more information?
If you have healthcare credentials, especially if you are an RN or LPN, and would like to learn more about employment or volunteer opportunities with our affiliate hospitals, please complete this form.
Donate Your Blood
Maintaining adequate levels of our nation’s blood supply is critical and there is currently a blood supply shortage.
How can I donate?
Vitalant is hosting a blood drive on March
23, 2020, from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. The Vitalant bus will be parked in the driveway between the Leprino Building and Leprino Garage. Please visitwww.vitalant.org for more information about donating, or to make an appointment at any Vitalant facility.
Is it safe to donate?
If you are feeling well and healthy, giving blood is safe. Per guidance from the FDA, blood donation centers can facilitate the safe donation of blood because they are skilled in infection control practices and already have procedures in place to prevent the spread of infections.
Does donating blood violate social distancing recommendations?
Per guidance from FDA, people who donate blood are equivalent to those people who are working in a critical infrastructure industry. In volunteering to do so, they are contributing immeasurably to the public health of our nation. In order to ensure that blood is available to those who need it most, it is important for healthy individuals who are able to donate to take the time to do so.
Donate Food
CU Anschutz operates a food pantry that is open to all currently enrolled students. Donations can be made at any time to University Police. Please visit their website for more information.
CU Anschutz also partners with Aurora Interfaith Community Service, the local Aurora food bank that is seeing needs double during this national and local emergency.
They are currently in great need of monetary and food donations. Please visit their websitefor more information. Drop off hours are Mon-Th between 9-12am.
A list of additional Aurora organizations that may need donations can be found onAurora Councilman Curtis Gardner’s webpage.
Take Measures to Prevent the Spread of Illness
- Practice Social Distancing
- All non-critical faculty and staff must work remotely. All critical staff on campus must practice safety measures and social distancing.
- There are no in-person meetings allowed.
- Conduct research study visits remotely when possible. The University has formally approved the following audio/video applications for use with highly confidential/HIPAA data: Zoom, Teams, and Skype for Business. COMIRB has provided additional information and details on this topic.
- If you are approved to continue in-person research visits at our affiliate institutions, such as CHCO and UCHealth, you will need to follow their policies.
- Follow CDC guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19
- Practice good hygiene
- Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface
- Avoid touching your face
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow
- Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible
Stay Up to Date
Visit the CU Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus Coronavirus Research Guidance webpage.