COVID-19 Tests for First Responders

Experts advise one of the best ways to stay healthy during the global coronavirus pandemic is to observe social distancing and stay home. Unfortunately, not everyone has that luxury. Arizona’s police officers, paramedics and firefighters are among those who can’t stay home and are exposed to infection in the line of duty day after day.

To offset the risk they face, ASU’s Biodesign Institute is offering testing to Maricopa County’s first responders. Tests must be conducted weekly, but we need your help to do it! 

During this unprecedented time, we ask that you make a gift to the Biodesign Institute at ASU to help provide COVID-19 testing for Maricopa County first responders. Your support will help minimize infection and provide needed medical attention to first responders.

We need to raise a minimum of $100,000 to provide 1,000 tests at $100 per test. Funding covers costs for production and delivery of collection kits, a customized website portal for municipal partners with associated data management services, and sample testing to provide rapid results.

Giving levels:

• A gift of $25 partially funds a COVID19 test for a first responder.
• A gift of $100 fully funds a COVID19 test for a first responder.
• A gift of $250 provides COVID19 testing for a first responder for two-and-a-half weeks.
• A gift of $600 ensures a first responder receives a regular test for six weeks.
• A gift of $1,200 represents Biodesign’s goal of running 1,200 tests in 24 hours.

Your gift helps support:

Collection kits and sample collection

The logistics of sample collection are complex, especially difficult due to insufficient supplies of kits and raw materials. The ASU Biodesign Institute is manufacturing collection kits for use with clinical partners, including first responders. Using these collection kits, ASU is working with clinical partners and municipalities at drive-through clinics to collect samples.

Sample testing

Arizona State University has developed a federally validated and approved diagnostic test, known commercially as qPCR, to quickly and accurately detect coronavirus.

Rapid testing

One of the best ways to prevent viral spread is to identify infected individuals as quickly as possible. ASU Biodesign’s rapid testing involves running approximately 400 tests in eight hours. Biodesign researchers and technology can scale-up as needed in order to run 1,200 tests in 24 hours. 

Thank you for your consideration and support!