New Nonprofit Brings Medical Supplies to the Frontline

In response to the novel Coronavirus, a new nonprofit, ProtectAZ was founded to bring crucial medical supplies to our frontline personnel and the groups and organizations in our community that serve the most at risk. Organized and launched by local doctors and likeminded businessmen, the fully volunteer-based organization was created to raise private funds to locate, procure and distribute medical supplies in Arizona at an accelerated pace to meet today’s demands. ProtectAZ also created a new solution for helping coordinate our statewide community around this fight that can show all of us in real time where and what is needed and how severe and critical the needs are.

The strategically formed group, with members from across the state, has formed a growing network of clinics, police/fire departments, homeless shelters, nursing homes and more that will communicate their needs continuously. ProtectAZ will provide an open-access database of information to guide the distribution and sharing of resources across the state to every invested party. To source the needed materials, the nonprofit has gathered some of the brightest doctors and business leaders in the community, local, national and international connections, and through large volume purchases and a simple distribution system, based in Phoenix,  they are able to obtain and deliver supplies that are in short supply.

“Supporting workers on the frontline is critical to get this pandemic under control and protect those among us that are the most vulnerable,” said Dr. Tyler Southwell chief medical officer at ProtectAZ. “Most community organizations, even hospitals, face various barriers and are not able to react with the speed and magnitude needed right now – they need our help.  Our community also needs an organization that can not only source the needed supplies but can create immediate logistical solutions to help us all get our hands around the needs out there.  We are all in this together, and everyone who can, wants to help but doesn’t know how or where to start, or even what their community needs most. ProtectAZ hopes to be the conduit for all of that goodwill to make the biggest difference possible.”

Healthcare workers, first responders, assisted living, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, food banks and shelters are among the groups that ProtectAZ has identified as fulfillment priorities. The advisory committee comprised of local doctors and business executive access requests and supplies, then quickly acts to distribute.

Organizations in need of equipment and PPE can visit. www.protectAz.org to make requests. For community members looking to support the nonprofit’s efforts, donations can also be made on the website.

ProtectAZ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The mission is to bring medical supplies to healthcare workers, first responders, food banks and shelters throughout the state of Arizona. Under leadership of medical professionals and business executives the group uses private funding to locate, procure and distribute supplies at no cost to the organization receiving materials.