As we tackle the unprecedented global challenge of COVID-19, we are reminded daily of the heroism of our healthcare workers.

These brave men and women operate on the front lines of a pandemic that is still largely undefined, and increasingly they are doing so without the equipment they desperately need.

Across the United States, and internationally, doctors and nurses are struggling with a dwindling supply of masks, gloves, goggles, hand sanitizer, and other essential personal protective equipment (PPE) that help to keep them safe.

With urgency in mind, dedicated staff across the country dug through Mizuho’s disaster readiness supplies and determined we had more than 15,000 masks that could be donated. We reached out to local medical centers and arranged delivery of these supplies.

We are proud to report that we distributed approximately 7,500 masks to Mount Sinai Hospital, 5,000 to Jersey City Medical Center RWJ Barnabas, and 2,500 to the LA County USC Medical Center, prompting some heartfelt gratitude for Mizuho’s help.