UAC Fund: Helping 1000 ICU or ER Medical Workers
We are the fund-raising team of United Against Covid-19 (UAC), an alliance composed of healthcare professionals, psychologists, social workers, donors, and volunteers. Many experts believe the pandemic response and medical situation in the United States is deteriorating.
At UAC, our mission is to unite everyone’s individual power and, together, win this struggle against COVID-19.
What we do at UAC
Procuring supplies for hospitals-in-need: To respond to the urgent needs of front line medical workers for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies, teams of volunteers contact hospitals and medical agencies to learn what supplies are in highest demand and their specifications. We then find donors who have medical supplies that match the precise requirements as requested by front line medical staff.
Effective distribution of medical supplies: We arrange for the transport and distribution of resources to hospitals and government agencies in urgent need, maximizing the utilization of all donated supplies.
Filling any unmet demands: For supply requests that are unable to be fulfilled by donors, UAC uses peer-to-peer and crowdfunding, including Gofundme, to finance the purchase of medical supplies for front line medical workers.
Sharing information: By sharing valuable information with donors, institutions, and volunteers, we at UAC work together to accomplish the above.
Fundraising Goal
First stage goal: $50,000
The pandemic situation continues to change rapidly, and although governments and professional organizations are increasing their production and purchases of medical supplies, it will take time for them to meet immediate demands. Therefore, we set fund-raising targets in phases to respond to the dynamic situation.
How will we use our funds?
With our first stage goal of fifty thousand dollars, we will aid at least 1,000 medical staff in emergency rooms and intensive care units by providing PPE, such as N95 masks, fluid-resistant goggles, face shields and other protective clothing.
If official chains-of-supply respond quickly enough to ease the urgency of medical workers, then we will transfer remaining funds to meet other needs of other public agencies, such as emergency medical services (EMS), police departments, and other general community workers. Meanwhile, we will continue supporting medical workers in other ways, such as paying for meals (including for those in quarantine) and funding hotel accommodations for traveling workers.
How will we ensure purchased supplies are in compliance with medical standards?
In addition to trained medical providers who volunteer with UAC, contacts at receiving hospitals will also review the purchase order before we complete the transaction and distribute supplies. By doing so, we ensure supplies meet the standards set for medical personnel in the United States.
How are we different from other COVID-19 fundraising organizations?
At UAC, we work closely with donor institutions and professionals to help front line medical staff with unmet safety demands. The dangers they face are often due to a lack of supply donors in the area or working in a location largely marginalized by local medical infrastructure. In other cases, it is as simple as uneven distribution of supplies leading to a critical deficiency in basic PPE.
No matter the cause, no medical worker should suffer as a result. UAC’s ultimate goal is to protect the lives of the medical personnel that are saving our own. Please join us and help however possible.
Why the focus on ICU and ER personnel?
Intensive care unit and emergency room personnel treat the most severe patients and risk the highest exposure as the “front line” of the medical response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection rates amongst medical staff in these departments remain high, with medical staff constituting a significant portion of COVID-19’s mortality count. We must help protect these brave, under-supported medical workers on the front line that have specialized in critical care, if only to prevent others from being exposed.
“As of April 9, at least 9,282 health care workers in the U.S. had COVID-19 and at least 27 had died, according to the new report. However, that number is almost certainly an undercount because researchers only knew whether a patient was a health care worker in 16% of all U.S. coronavirus cases – which had reached nearly 460,000 by April 9 – leaving 84% of cases unaccounted for in this report.”
https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-04-14/cdc-nearly-10-000-health-care-workers-had-covid-19
More news link as below:
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/zahrahirji/us-health-care-workers-coronavirus
https://nypost.com/2020/03/25/worker-at-nyc-hospital-where-nurses-wear-trash-bags-as-protection-dies-from-coronavirus/
How do we evaluate the needs of ICU/ER staff?
We have a system to collect medical workers’ requests in detail [link]. Moreover, we also learn the conditions of each hospital’s medical teams and their patients. Medical professionals at UAC assess and verify requests with the hospital medical teams before ordering supplies for distribution.
Do we guarantee and protect the rights of donors?
In order to protect the legal rights and interests of donors, we require all hospitals who request supplies to sign a waiver of liablity.
Why can’t hospitals protect their medical staff with government support?
Unfortunately, the government’s response has been slow to meet the spike in supply demands from major hospitals.
Additionally, infection numbers and rates continue to rise in the United States, meaning critically ill patients who will need ER and ICU treatment will also increase. Even following the peak in resource demand of projected COVID-19 infection curves, medical supplies will remain in a state of tension for quite some time. Many hospitals will also budget their usage of supplies to prevent critical shortages in the future, resulting in dangerous shortages that threaten medical workers today.
Finally, supplies are flowing into the epicenters of the pandemic, such as New York City, but infection rates (and the demand for medical supplies) in marginalized areas outside of cities are simultaneously increasing. Supplies and support for front line medical workers will remain in high demand.
Are donations tax deductible?
Currently, we are unable to provide tax deduction evidence for Gofundme donations. We are working with third-party, non-profit organizations to provide such documents. We will provide updates regarding our progress on tax deductions.
How can I know where the fund goes?
We will update the progress of our work on our webpage and facebook page, including the PPEs we purchased using the fund and who receive the PPEs from which hospitals as much as we can (if the information is allowed to be disclosed to the public).
I am an ICU/ER staff member and we are in urgent need of PPEs. How can I request supplies?
Please fill out this form https://forms.gle/XSr5kME1vpQaQXfQA
Note: In case that you are not part of ICU/ER team but in urgent need of PPEs, please fill it out also, as we will evaluate the needs and try to help if no more urgent ones occur.
Aside from donations, how can I help UAC?
Please contact us at info@uac-heros.org to join the UAC volunteer community. We are more than happy to clarify any questions and discuss how you might help.
UAC Task Groups
1. Hospital and Donor Liaison
Main tasks: Collecting information on supply types and specifications urgently needed by the hospital in each region, finding donors to match materials, assisting the purchase or donation by the institution with the hospital, and following up with the hospital after shipment is confirmed and ensuring waiver signature.
2. (Purchase) Procurement and Logistics
Main task: Assist institutions and individuals in purchasing and billing, logistics, etc.
3. Material Statistics and Donations
Main tasks: collaborating with the purchasing group and organizing supply storage, collaborating with the hospital and donor liaison group and organizing supply distribution
To avoid redundant shipments of supplies, it is vital to share information fully and collaborate efficiently.
4. Information Optimization
Main task: sort out important information in the chat, prioritize appropriate messages, and share information optimally. The PPE identification and procurement manual is currently being collated. The supplier list has been verified. This group is responsible for the Q&A summary of common problems.
5. Medical Expertise (Chinese and American physicians)
Main tasks: Support donors and volunteers by providing professional advice to the group.
6. Psychological Support (psychologists, counselors, social workers, therapists)
Main tasks: Address the mental health of medical staff and volunteers, helping them relieve stress, and take care of themselves to help others better.
7. Fundraising Group
Main task: Utilize Gofundme and crowdfunding to source donations for the necessary protective equipment for ICU/ER personnel.
Follow us:
Webpage: www.uac-heros.org ( to launch soon)
Facebook: fb.me/UAC.heros
UAC Support Fund：捐助1000名ICU/ER医护人员
大家好，我们是UAC（United against Covid-19）项目募资团队。UAC是一个由捐赠者、志愿者和医生专家、心理咨询师、社工等组成的一个联合团体，在美国疫情日趋严重的时期，来自中国、欧洲、美国等地的爱心人士，组成了这个民间联盟。
UAC的使命在于：集合每一个个体的力量，共同赢得这场战役。
UAC的工作重点：
1. 共享精准需求：紧贴医院和医护人员的一线需求，志愿者团队精准、实时地采集和跟踪一线人员的需求，然后将需求信息共享给捐赠端，帮助捐赠方掌握准确的需求信息，有效、合理地配置捐赠资源。
2. 有效匹配物资：同时，对于加入UAC的捐赠机构和个人，做及时、精准的匹配，使捐赠物资得到最大化的利用。
3. 弥补缺口：针对仍然无法被满足的需要，被遗漏的个体医护需求，UAC集合个体的力量，通过Gofundme众筹的方式，筹集资金进行及时的点对点资助。
4. 价值共享：价值信息的沉淀与共享。
募资目标：
第一期目标：5万美金
疫情变化迅速，政府和专业机构的物资供应、本地生产预期也将慢慢跟上，因此我们分期设置募资目标，以灵活应对疫情的变化。
如何使用资金？
我们会使用第一期的资金，资助至少1000个ICU/ER医护人员的基本防护装备，包括口罩、眼罩、面屏和防护服。
如果随着物资供应的跟上，医护人员的装备需要逐渐缓解，我们会将剩余资金转向其他方面的需求，包括警察、社区和普通人员的口罩需求；医护人员的其他需求，如食物（包括隔离住宿期间的食物）、就近在酒店住宿等。
如何确保采购的物资合规？
我们会确保供应商提供的物资符合美国医护人员使用标准，为此我们除了邀请UAC医疗专家团队做审核，还会与医院联络人或受赠医护人员确认物资类型后，再行购买和发放。
我看到其他机构也在募资捐赠抗击疫情，你们的项目有何不同？
我们目前正在跟部分捐赠机构和个人紧密合作，我们都在UAC联盟旗下。UAC Fund主要是针对在目前的捐赠情况之外未能被满足的一线人员需求，它有可能是因为不在重点捐助区域，处于边缘地区，或者纽约以外的州，或者因为医院物资仍然不够充裕，产生分配不均等问题造成的。
我们募款的初衷在于，不遗落任何一个保护医护人员生命的机会。如果您也认同，请加入我们一起行动。
为什么要重点资助ICU/ER医护人员？
这些部分的医护人员长期处于重度暴露中，他们所面临的风险更大。目前一线医护人员受感染和伤亡人数严重，我们必须要保护这些一线中的一线，否则会有更多人被暴露在危险中。
根据4月14日US News的报道，至少10000名医护人员感染Covid-19，几十名不幸去世。但因为每个州缺少精确的数据统计，实际数字可能更高。
https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-04-14/cdc-nearly-10-000-health-care-workers-had-covid-19
更多新闻链接：
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/zahrahirji/us-health-care-workers-coronavirus
https://nypost.com/2020/03/25/worker-at-nyc-hospital-where-nurses-wear-trash-bags-as-protection-dies-from-coronavirus/
如何评价ICU/ER医护人员的需求是有效需求？
我们会有一个系统采集医护人员的详细需求，也会有针对医院和ICU Team的病患、团队情况进行采集，我们团队中的专业人员会对需求进行评估，与对方沟通核实后进行物资发放。
如何保证捐赠者的权益？
为保护捐赠者的权益，我们要求所有接收物资方签署免责声明。
随着政府的物资慢慢到位，为什么医院不能支持到医护人员？
首先，政府的物资到位是一个过程，不会马上完全满足各大医院不断增加的物资需求。
其次，美国的新冠感染人数还在不断攀升（截至4月14日，感染人数超过58万，死亡人数超过2.4万），这就意味着按比例进入医院治疗的重症患者也会相应增加。我们估计，未来的物资在相当一段时间内将仍然处于紧张状态。根据实际情况反馈，很多医院即便在有物资的情况下，也会非常谨慎地分配物资，留好库存以应对未来不断增加的需要。
最后，边缘地区的医院本身资源不多，纽约外州的医护需求还在不断增加，我们相信这部分一线医护的需求仍然是巨大的。
我的捐赠是否可以抵税？
目前在Gofundme的捐款我们无法提供抵税凭据，我们正在与第三方非盈利机构寻求合作机会，希望可以帮到捐赠者享受抵税权益。我们将进一步更新这项工作的进度。
我如何知道捐赠落实的情况？
我们会在网站和facebook官方页面上更新物资购买和发放情况。请关注我们的进度更新。
我是ICU/ER医护人员，我们非常缺物资，我如何可以申請到物资帮助？
请填写需求表格 https://forms.gle/XSr5kME1vpQaQXfQA
注意：即便您不是ICU/ER的医护人员，但您所处的工作环境和社区急缺防护物资，也可以来填写需求，我们将根据紧急和重要程度，以及我们的物资情况进行恰当的分配。
除了捐赠，我如何以其他方式加入UAC志愿活动？
请联系info@uac-heros.org申请加入UAC志愿者社区。
附UAC各协作组职责：
1. 医院需求对接组
主要任务：分区域采集医院急缺的物资类型、接受规格；协助捐赠人匹配物资；协助物资对接医院后交由机构采购；物资发货后跟医院的后续跟踪，签免责条款等。
2. （拼单）采购与物流
主要任务：协助机构和个人采购和拼单、物流等。
3. 物资统计与捐赠组
主要任务：对接采购组，物资进库；对接需求组，分配物资到医院。基于医院分配情况，帮助捐赠者避免集中采购某种物资，以及扎堆捐赠某间医院的情况，充分共享，高效协作。
4. 信息收集组
主要任务：整理群内重要信息，沉淀内容，实现共享。目前正在整理PPE识别与采购傻瓜手册；已核实供应商清单；常见问题Q&A汇总。
5. 医疗专家组（中方医生、美方医生）
主要任务：支持捐赠者和志愿者做好抗疫协助，提供群内专业意见。
6.心理支持组 （心理咨询师、社工、教练等）
主要任务：支持医护人员和志愿者们的心理健康，输泄解压，照顾好自己才可以更好地帮助他人。
7. 募资组
主要任务：gofundme众筹资金，重点捐助icu/er个人医护的必要防护装备。
通过以下方式关注我们的动态：
官方网站: www.uac-heros.org (即将上线）
Facebook页面: fb.me/UAC.heros
无论您捐献多少，对于一线的医护人员来说都将是巨大的支持。我们感谢您的加入和支持，与我们一起帮助那些正在需要帮助的人！
