The ASRT Foundation has launched a charitable initiative to provide financial assistance to medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals who have fallen victim to coronavirus. The ASRT Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund also offers short-term support to those professionals whose employers have instituted layoffs, furloughs or decreased work hours in the face of the reduction or elimination of non-essential medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures during the crisis.
Underwritten with a $50,000 contribution by the ASRT Foundation, The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has matched the initial amount with an additional $50,000 approved by the ASRT Board of Directors. In addition, the Foundation is accepting personal and corporate donations to support the fund. Eligible applicants will receive $500 to assist with personal expenses while facing hardships caused by the pandemic.
Radiologic technologists are frontline caregivers who perform the x-ray and CT procedures vital in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. In the service of patient care, many have contracted coronavirus themselves. In addition, many professionals who perform exams such as mammograms, MRI procedures, radiation therapy treatments and other special procedures have been deemed non-essential and are now unemployed or under-employed due to the ongoing health care crisis.
“Our colleagues are suffering,” said ASRT Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Terri L. Fauber, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M). “We couldn’t sit back and watch this without stepping up to offer our assistance. In fact, we believe in this so strongly, each of our nine board members have made a significant personal donation to the fund.”
ASRT members who believe they may be candidates for assistance can can check program parameters and eligibility requirements here.
Radiologic technologists who want to support their colleagues may donate here.