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Help UAB respond to the coronavirus outbreak: three ways to give

  • March 26, 2020
Support COVID-19 research, patient care and relief; help provide emergency aid to students; or give to the Benevolent Fund as it continues to assist employees in need.

UABRespond2Help the University of Alabama at Birmingham fight the coronavirus pandemic in Alabama by giving in support of three funds, designed to help meet the needs of patients and the community, students and employees. 

Help UAB patients and staff on the front lines in the Birmingham community

Your gift to the UAB Coronavirus Response Support Fund will support COVID-19 research and treatment development; patient and clinical care support; resources, including supplies, equipment and technology; training and education; and other needs associated with relief, response and treatment. This fund will aid the efforts of UAB Medicine’s frontline responders, including doctors, nurses and other health care professionals, to better help Alabamians and others as needs change with the coronavirus pandemic. To give now, visit the fund online.  

Our community and state have turned to UAB for care and healing for more than 160 years, and through meaningful, philanthropic partnership we will move medicine forward together and save lives during this national emergency, says Selwyn Vickers, M.D., senior vice president and dean of the UAB School of Medicine.   

“Your philanthropic investment helps UAB fight this pandemic by addressing critical supply and care needs of our frontline medical heroes, first responders and their patients while training caregivers on best practices and accelerating research and epidemiology for possible new discoveries and treatment,” Vickers said. “When you give, you fuel the entire UAB enterprise so we can improve lives and move medicine forward for Alabamians needing care today and tomorrow.”

Assist UAB students

Help provide emergency aid to currently enrolled students impacted by the ongoing outbreak through the UAB Student Government Association COVID-19 Emergency Grant. Your support can be used for students’ lost wages, emergency relocation expenses and other COVID-19-related financial hardships. Students must qualify in order to receive assistance. Visit this fund online to make a donation.

Get the latest COVID-19 information at uab.edu/coronavirus.

In an act of demonstrated leadership, the Undergraduate Student Government Association identified the need for COVID-19 emergency relief for UAB students and allocated $15,000 for this purpose, which has now been joined by generous contributions from the Division of Student Affairs and Graduate Student Government. Your gift can magnify the investments made by student leaders at UAB.

“This grassroots effort of ‘Blazers Helping Blazers’ is the cornerstone of who we are at UAB, and exemplifies a student’s commitment to the University Creed, The Blazer Way,” Wallace said. “These dollars will be just-in-time relief for students making difficult decisions about continuing their college careers, and will assist in retaining students all the way to the graduation milestone.”

Currently enrolled students, including undergraduate, graduate and professional, who need emergency aid due to unexpected expenses caused by the ongoing COVID-19 situation are eligible. To apply, students should submit the COVID-19 Emergency Grant application via a Maxient online form. The submission must also include documentation supporting the need for emergency aid, such as a bill, letter of delinquency, invoice or bank statement. Students are eligible for a grant, typically not to exceed $500, to be distributed using wire/direct deposit to an account provided by the student.

Support UAB employees

Donate to the UAB Benevolent Fund as it continues to assist employees in need, including those affected by the pandemic; make a gift online. The Benevolent Fund and Blazer Kitchen programs will continue to be offered with adjustments made for health and safety considerations during COVID-19-limited business operations.

Since 1984, the UAB Benevolent Fund has worked to meet the needs of employees and the UAB community by offering a unique blend of employee charitable giving opportunities. The

Benevolent Fund remains committed to providing programs that serve the Blazer community. The Employee Emergency Assistance Program is accepting applications online, and appointments will be conducted by phone or Zoom meetings, says Lisa Higginbotham, UAB Benevolent Fund manager. 

“To help ensure employees and their families have sufficient food, Blazer Kitchen will provide pre-packed bags via drive-through,” Higginbotham said. “We know that, during the COVID-19 crisis, you need us more, not less, and we are committed to being there for you and our entire UAB family.”