Lockheed Martin Donates $500K For Cooper PPE Amid Pandemic

Cooper University Health Care has received a $500,000 grant from Lockheed Martin to purchase critically needed personal protective equipment (PPE), the health system announced Tuesday morning.

This includes N95 respirators, surgical masks, gloves, gowns, and eye protection for employees on the front lines in the fight against the coronavirus.

“Everyone at Cooper University Health Care is deeply appreciative of Lockheed Martin’s support for the heroic efforts of our clinical teams and this donation will help us purchase the protective equipment they need to stay healthy and safe,” Cooper Board of Trustees Chairman George E. Norcross III said.

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Lockheed Martin said it made the donation because it recognizes Cooper’s role as the region’s leading academic health system and only Level 1 Trauma Center. The corporation also honors the inspiring story of Cherry Hill family Brett and Amy Breslow.

Brett, a Lockheed Martin engineer, was hospitalized at Cooper for more than 30 days due to the coronavirus. His wife Amy’s advocacy on behalf of all coronavirus patients is an inspiring reminder that we are all in this fight together.

“On behalf of the 8,000 Lockheed Martin employees in the greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region, we want to say how thankful we are for the health care workers on the front line of this pandemic and appreciate all they do to keep us safe and healthy,” said Paul Lemmo, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors business in Moorestown. “Lockheed Martin’s $1 million donation to Cooper University Health Care, school districts, and other community groups is just a small way we can express our appreciation for everything these organizations do to care for our neighbors.”

In addition to the grant, Lockheed Martin has supported Cooper throughout the pandemic in numerous ways, including donating cell phones to facilitate communications between patients and their families while they are hospitalized and unable to have visitors. The company also provided more than 1,600 meals to staff.

“On behalf of all of our employees, I want to thank Lockheed Martin for this extremely generous grant that will help protect our clinical teams treating COVID-19 patients and serve the health care needs of our community,” Cooper Co-President/CEO Kevin O’Dowd said.

“Cooper’s clinical and support staff are among the most skilled, compassionate, and dedicated health care professionals and this contribution will directly provide needed resources to protect those on the front line providing care to COVID-19 patients,” Cooper Co-President/CEO Anthony J. Mazzarelli said.

The Cooper Foundation established a COVID-19 Assistance Fund in response to numerous requests to support Cooper University Health Care during the pandemic. To date, Cooper has received significant donations from the Philadelphia 76ers, UberEats, Apple, Ready Nutrition, and many other gifts from numerous businesses, restaurants, and individuals.

To learn more about the COVID-19 Assistance Fund, visit foundation.cooperhealth.org/covid-19. To donate critically needed PPE supplies, email COVID19Assistance@cooperhealth.edu.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know