NBA All-Star Joel Embiid Makes Significant Contribution to #FirstRespondersFirst, Further Demonstrating His Commitment to Supporting Healthcare Workers on the Frontlines of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Last month, in response to the Coronavirus outbreak in the United States, three-time NBA All-Star Joel Embiid pledged to donate $500,000 to support medical relief efforts for COVID-19. A longstanding believer in "The Process," Embiid has spent the past two weeks researching the most efficient ways to provide immediate aid to healthcare workers serving on the frontlines. Today, Embiid announced that he has identified #FirstRespondersFirst, an initiative of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Thrive Global, and the CAA Foundation, as one of the beneficiaries of his donation. #FirstRespondersFirst delivers physical and psychological resources to this critical workforce, ranging from minimum-wage hourly workers in home-care settings to social workers, nurses, physicians, and beyond, as they battle this epic public health challenge.

"After much careful consideration and lots of research, I chose to partner with #FirstRespondersFirst and its implementation partner Direct Relief to provide PPE to our frontline health workers to better protect themselves and our community at large," said Embiid. "I am so grateful for the love and support I have always felt in Pennsylvania and I want the community to know that I have your back, too."

#FirstRespondersFirst's fundraising call to action is administered by the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a Charity Navigator 4 Star Charity that meets all 20 BBB Charity Standards. #FirstRespondersFirst will work closely with implementation partner, Direct Relief, to provide essential supplies, equipment, and resources to protect frontline healthcare workers in Embiid's home-state of Pennsylvania.

Embiid's donation to #FirstRespondersFirst will ensure that Direct Relief can continue and increase support to an array of healthcare centers and clinics across Pennsylvania. Those that have received support thus far include Primary Health Network (Sharon, PA); Highlands Health Laurel Highlands Free & Charitable Clinic (Johnstown, PA); La Comunidad Hispana (Kennett Square, PA); Community Health Clinic of Butler County (Butler, PA); Volunteers In Medicine (Wilkes Barre, PA); Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic (Doylestown, PA); Hyndman Area Health Center (Hyndman, PA); Columbia County Volunteers In Medicine Clinic, Inc. (Mifflinville, PA); Cornerstone Care, Inc. (Greensboro, PA); Program for Health Care to Underserved Populations (Pittsburgh, PA); Philadelphia Department of Public Health District Health Centers (Philadelphia, PA); Centre Volunteers in Medicine (State College, PA); Pittsburgh Mercy Family Health Center (Pittsburgh, PA); Hamilton Health Center (Harrisburg, PA); Lebanon Valley Volunteers in Medicine (Lebanon, PA); Community Volunteers In Medicine (West Chester, PA); and HealthLink Dental Center, Inc. (Southampton, PA).

#FirstRespondersFirst launched on March 23 to support frontline healthcare workers and caregivers across the country.

About Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health brings together dedicated experts from many disciplines to educate new generations of global health leaders and produce powerful ideas that improve the lives and health of people everywhere. As a community of leading scientists, educators, and students, we work together to take innovative ideas from the laboratory to people's lives?not only making scientific breakthroughs, but also working to change individual behaviors, public policies, and health care practices. Each year, more than 400 faculty members at Harvard Chan School teach 1,000-plus full-time students from around the world and train thousands more through online and executive education courses. Founded in 1913 as the Harvard-MIT School of Health Officers, the School is recognized as America's oldest professional training program in public health.

About Thrive Global

Thrive Global is a leading behavior change tech company helping individuals, corporations and communities improve their well-being and performance through our behavior change platform, storytelling and corporate services. Thrive was founded by Arianna Huffington and launched in 2016 with the mission of changing the way we work and live by ending the collective delusion that burnout is the price we must pay for success. We offer companies and individuals sustainable, science-based solutions to enhance both mental and physical well-being and performance, purpose and relationship with technology. We are committed to accelerating this culture shift around the world. Thrive Global is headquartered in New York City and has offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Athens, Mumbai, Melbourne and Bucharest. For more information, visit www.thriveglobal.com.

About CAA Foundation

The CAA Foundation was founded in 1995, born out of Creative Artists Agency's (CAA) desire to give back to communities and harness the power and reach of the entertainment industry to create positive social change by forging strategic partnerships, encouraging volunteerism, granting financial contributions, stimulating public awareness, and providing in-kind donations. The CAA Foundation has become a leader in the entertainment community on education, the environment, and health and social issues. Leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) represents many of the most successful and innovative professionals working in film, television, music, video games, theatre, commercial endorsements, and digital content, and provides a range of strategic marketing and consulting services to corporate clients. CAA is also a leader in sports, representing more than 2,000 of the world's top athletes in football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, Olympics and action sports, in addition to coaches, on-air broadcasters, and sports personalities and works in the areas of broadcast rights, corporate marketing initiatives, licensing, and sports properties for sales and sponsorship opportunities. For more information, please visit www.caa.com.