NEWPORT — Delaware community and health care leaders gathered at Donate Delaware on Friday with plans to send personal protective equipment and medical supplies to Ukraine.

Among those present were Dr. Kirill Alekseyev, a native of Ukraine and the physical and medical rehabilitation director of Post-Acute Medical Hospital in Dover. He joined Donate Delaware president Dave Tiberi and CEO Dr. Bob Andrezewski, Medical Society of Delaware executive director Mark B. Thompson and Delaware Healthcare Association president and CEO Wayne Smith.

As a part of the initiative, Donate Delaware partnered with numerous donors to send over 100,000 units of PPE to Ukraine, as the country’s residents defend themselves against the Russian invasion.

In addition, Donate Delaware intends to periodically ship PPE and other medical supplies during the next weeks, with up to 25,000 PPE items on hold.

Equipment like face masks, hand sanitizer and wipes are being delivered, and Donate Delaware leaders hope to work with local hospitals and health care organizations to collect more medical supplies.

Donate Delaware was formed by Mr. Tiberi at the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, and since its beginning, the organization has made it a priority to assist those in need. The agency has doled out an estimated 2.5 million PPE pieces to local hospitals and medical facilities.

“It’s been a collaborative effort in Delaware. We have not had one organization or company tell us no for a donation, and that’s since we started in 2020,” Mr. Tiberi said.

“We think today will be a great launching pad for us to be in a position where we can get the PPEs in the hands of the Ukrainians and those who need it the most.”

The 100,000 units of protective equipment will be transported to Post-Acute Medical headquarters in Enola, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Alekseyev said volunteers, including fellow Ukrainians, will help package and ship the supplies overseas.

“Words can’t really describe it. You always think you’re not doing enough. I was born and raised there and to be able to help them in a time of need is what’s most important,” he said.

“It’s not what could be done after it’s over. It’s what could be done right now. I want to do as much as I can on the ground from here.”

Local donors to Donate Delaware include Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Highmark, and both Mr. Tiberi and Dr. Andrezewski credited the companies’ support as a driving factor behind the organization’s successful effort.

“It’s a very noble cause, but Dave and I are just so grateful to the community and corporate support because, without them, we couldn’t do what we do.” Dr. Andrezewski said.

“We intend to continue our efforts. We’re looking to organize more donations to assist nonprofits throughout the state. We want to be a rapid-response organization who can provide assistance to those in need.”

Mr. Tiberi said he instantly wanted to assist Ukrainians after the Russian invasion, and after receiving a call from Mr. Thompson, he knew that joining the Medical Society of Delaware was the right move.

“With over 1,300 members of the medical society, physicians and the strength that we can bring, we knew that assisting Ukrainians was the right thing to do,” Mr. Thompson said.

“We wanted to get these supplies to the people who need them, and it’s a way for the physicians of Delaware to show solidarity and support for the physicians in Ukraine, as well as the people of Ukraine.”

Donate Delaware also teamed up with the Delaware Healthcare Association. Mr. Smith said it’s important for the community to assist those in Ukraine and display the goodness of the American people.

“These are incredibly dangerous times in the world, and there’s a humanitarian crisis unfolding that’s bound to get worse. There’s a lot of people that need our thoughts, uplifting and especially our action,” he added.

According to Dr. Alekseyev, the efforts led by Donate Delaware will save lives.

“I can’t thank Dave and Bob enough for ... organizing all of these donations,” he said. “We all want to help any way we can, but this is going to save a lot of lives and help a lot of people.”