University’s purchase of Pitt-branded masks will benefit vaccine research

Pitt Athletics, in collaboration with several other University departments, has ordered nearly 140,000 Pitt-branded face masks from Forever Collectibles for students, faculty, staff and visitors.

As part of the deal, Forever Collectibles has pledged to donate $15,000 to Pitt’s Center for Vaccine Research, which is working to create a vaccine for COVID-19. Pitt is also selling the masks online for $24.95 for a set of three through ShopPittPanthers.com, and 24 percent of each sale will go to the Center for Vaccine Research. The masks can be pre-ordered now and are expected to ship on June 25.

“Leaders across the University were eager to join Athletics in showing our school pride by wearing these Pitt-branded masks in support of public health guidance for the control of COVID-19 and in support of Pitt's on-going development of a COVID-19 vaccine,” Jay Frerotte, assistant vice chancellor, Environmental Health and Safety, said in a statement on Pitt Athletics website.

“As we all continue to work through COVID-19 guidance on precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 — specifically, the recommended precautions to wear cloth face coverings in public settings — it made sense for Pitt Athletics to collaborate with the entire campus community,” Deputy Athletic Director Christian Spears in the statement. “In a small way wearing these Pitt-branded masks can now connect us all to the critical vaccine research happening here at Pitt through the Center for Vaccine Research.”

— Susan Jones

 

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