While everyone at MD Anderson is busy protecting our patients from COVID-19, I’d like to take a moment to check in with you, our benefactors.

Last week, MD Anderson’s President, Dr. Pisters, emailed you to offer his support and thoughts on this difficult health challenge. I echo his words of gratitude.

I joined MD Anderson approximately nine months ago. Like many of you, I have a personal connection to cancer and arrived with tremendous respect for this institution as a care provider and world-class cancer research institution. In recent weeks, I’ve seen our leadership team, doctors and nurses respond quickly and with great care to the evolving COVID-19 situation. I’ve witnessed real heroes who give so much of themselves to serve our patients and our mission to end cancer. I feel privileged to be a part of Making Cancer History^® with them each and every day.

In the past week, many of you have reached out asking, “How can I help?” I offer these suggestions.

Connect with someone who is facing cancer and offer encouragement. This is a scary time for cancer patients, especially those who might be immunocompromised. Send them a text, drop a note on social media or call to offer a friendly voice. I promise it will mean a great deal to them. Patients are always buoyed by the love of friends and family.

Lend words of encouragement. Our doctors, nurses and clinical support staff are doing an excellent job. You can boost their spirits by sharing your words of encouragement and thanks on our MD Anderson Facebook page.

Support those in need. If you choose to make a donation at this time, you can provide assistance to those impacted by COVID-19. Our Patient Assistance program helps patients and their families with living and travel expenses, especially those whose income may have been impacted by this outbreak. Our Caring Fund covers extraordinary expenses — like transportation, temporary housing or childcare — that MD Anderson employees incur during a period of disaster.

Finally, I recommend you bookmark the MD Anderson COVID-19 Resource Page that Dr. Pisters shared in his email last week. You’ll find tips to stay healthy and limit the spread of the virus. You’ll also get the latest updates on precautions we’re taking to protect our patients and workforce.

MD Anderson is fighting on the front lines. We are proud to play our part and know that you are beside us. We will conquer this together.

Sincerely, Darrow Zeidenstein, Ph.D. Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer