Roma Players, Coaches Donate Money to Hospital for Ventilators, Beds in Coronavirus Fight

AS Roma announced Friday that its players and coaches have donated more than $215,000 (200,000 euros) to a hospital in need of medical supplies as part of the club's ongoing effort to combat the coronavirus in Italy.

Part of the money will immediately be used to order three intensive care ventilators, five pulmonary ventilators for sub-intensive care and eight intensive care beds for the Lazzaro Spallanzani Hospital in Rome, the club said. The funds comprise one day's salary out of each first-team player and coach's paycheck and brings Roma's fundraising efforts over the last week to nearly $500,000 (460,000 euros).  

The Lazzaro Spallanzani Hospital has been at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis in Italy. The nation has 41,035 confirmed cases and the death toll has reached 3,405.

"At such a difficult time for humanity, feeling the tangible support of the Roma Cares Foundation fills us with pride and gives us the positivity we need to face up to the hard work we have ahead of us," said Marta Branca, the director-general of the Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute of Infectious Diseases, in a statement. "Doctors and nurses have been working hard to fight and contain the disease, but it’s important and necessary that we have the support of everyone."

There are more than 218,700 confirmed cases of the virus globally across at least 147 countries. In the U.S., the number of cases surpassed 15,000 on Friday. 

“The players and the coaching staff wanted to do something very meaningful for the city and the people suffering in this country,” club CEO Guido Fienga said. “At moments like this, it’s important that we all take on our responsibilities and do what we can to help. Whether it’s the president, our players and staff, our fantastic former players and all our fans, from Rome and elsewhere, everyone who has contributed has helped pay for these new intensive care ventilators, which will help save real lives.

“We’re not giving up though and now we want to raise even more money, surpass our €500,000 target and buy more essential hospital equipment.”