New York State Senator Bill Weber honored Chaim Lebovits this afternoon for his Covid Plasma Initiative, which saved thousands of thousands of lives during Covid-19.
The ceremony honoring the lifelong Rockland resident took place at the Senator’s district office in Nanuet.
Chaim is the CEO of The CSL Group Inc., a shoe import and wholesale company. He uses the logistical skills developed in his manufacturing career and his connections in the medical community to help patients with complex medical conditions get access to medical care and to help medical professionals and medical systems streamline the needs of certain patients in the community.
“When COVID struck,” Senator Bill Weber said, “Chaim Lebovits saw a need in the community, utilized his unique problem-solving skills cultivated as a businessman, and set his mind on acquiring supplies of Convalescent Plasma as a means to effectively combat COVID-19, starting with donating his own plasma to help those in need. His efforts to establish Monoclonal Antibody infusion sites across the country reflect Chaim’s compassion for all.”
“I am extremely humbled to have been selected to be honored with this award,” Lebovitz shared. “I have tremendous respect for Senator Weber, who goes out of his way to help people every day.”
Lebovitz knows the meaning of going out of one’s way to help others, having helped hundreds of thousands make convalescent plasma available. Lebovitz started the process in March of 2020 by bringing it to New Rochelle. After that, he worked with Refuah and set up more of the same, followed by Lakewood, Williamsburg, Flatbush, Crown Heights, Boro Park, and Michigan. Soon, he was helping blood banks across the United States, galvanizing donors, mainly from the Orthodox Jewish community, via social media to donate wherever the drives were taking place. His indefatigable actions saved countless lives.
“Chaim really was the central figure, during the COVID epidemic, in showing how it was possible to energize a community to contribute – very literally their own blood – to help save lives,” enthused Dr. Nigel Paneth, University Distinguished Professor, Emeritus Departments of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Pediatrics and Human Development for Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
“The contribution that Chaim Lebovits made to public health during the COVID-19 pandemic is truly laudable,” said Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research for the U.S. FDA. “His effort to advance the donation and administration of convalescent plasma doubtlessly decreased suffering and saved many lives. He was a true partner, and we are truly grateful for all that he has done and continues to do to improve people’s health.”
“Mr. Lebovits is a man who does not hesitate to roll up his sleeves and get things done,” Dr. Shmuel Shoham, Infectious Disease Specialist for John Hopkins, shared. “When his community, and the country, and the world needed him, he was there. His actions saved many lives and inspired others to step up.”
Is it Lebovits (spelling in the article) or Lebovitz (spelling on the plaque)?