Mayo Clinic announced Friday that it has donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross to support the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Mayo requested that the funds are used for relief efforts of those affected by the recent storm, which has killed dozens and displaced millions.
The announcement comes on the heels of President Trump personally donating $1 million, while the Trump administration is expected to request $5.9 billion in supplemental funding from Congress to support relief efforts.
In a written statement released to media, Mayo said that it was important to support "the urgent need for hope and assistance in regions affected by the hurricane." The monetary support is meant to show Mayo's place in the "global community," even though it doesn't operate any facilities in the storm-ravaged area.
"Mayo Clinic has a long history of responding in times of crisis," Dr. John Noseworthy, President and CEO of Mayo Clinic, said in the press release. "Hurricane Harvey has had a profound impact on so many. The hearts of our entire staff go out to all of those affected."
Mayo says its values of stewardship and compassion drove the decision to give proactively to an organization that has made a difference for so many. The American Red Cross was selected "based on its expertise in emergency response and on-the-ground humanitarian need," Mayo said.
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Phil Hansen, CEO of the American Red Cross Minnesota Region, expressed gratitude for Mayo's generosity.
"Generous donations like the one from Mayo Clinic are critical to making our disaster response possible," Hansen said. "The Red Cross is sincerely grateful to partner with committed and compassionate organizations like Mayo Clinic to bring care and comfort to those so profoundly affected by Hurricane Harvey."
