COLUMBUS, Ohio – A generous $750,000 donation from Joe and Linda Chlapaty, community leaders and friends to The Ohio State University, will provide matching funds for gifts made on Giving Tuesday (May 5), a global day of giving focused on kindness and financial support for various causes. #GivingTuesdayNow donations made to The Ohio State University will be used to provide emergency relief funds to support the urgent needs of medical professionals at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute who are working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations will be allocated to four areas: Medical Equipment: Support the purchase of personal protective equipment and additional medical equipment needed to treat COVID-19 Research Initiatives: Accelerate research, testing and treatment for COVID-19 Healthcare Worker Wellness: Provide nutrition, health and wellness for healthcare workers Public Health Education: Give to education and prevention efforts to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the community The Chlapatys say they were motivated to give because they have witnessed the profound negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “People are hurting in many ways, and we felt compelled to do whatever we could to help — as soon as we could,” says Joe Chlapaty. “I didn’t graduate from Ohio State, but I’ve gotten to know a lot of people. In this town, everyone is sort of a Buckeye. We have an opportunity to come together as Buckeyes to get through this pandemic and contribute in any way we can, large or small. It all matters.” George Tzagournis, DDS, an Ohio State alum who was diagnosed with and recovered from COVID-19 then became one of the first in the Columbus community to donate plasma for the treatment of other COVID-19 patients echoes this sentiment. “I was born and bred a Buckeye, and Ohioans support one another. When someone is in need, you help them. It’s especially important that we all rally together during this global health public health crisis. We are stronger together,” says Tzagournis.   For more information on supporting #GivingTuesdayNow, visit buckeyefunder.osu.edu/project/20552. Community members can also support healthcare and research professionals by donating supplies, plasma and food. Additional information on ways to help is available at go.osu.edu/waystohelp. ### Media Contact: Amanda J. Harper OSUCCC – James Media Relations Direct Line: 614-685-5420 Central Media Relations: 614-293-3737 Amanda.Harper2@osumc.edu