Donations boost health-care system

By Vincent Ball
 
Thousands of masks, disposable gloves and other personal protective equipment are being delivered to front-line healthcare workers courtesy of Wilfrid Laurier University.

The university, with campuses in Brantford and Waterloo, is donating nearly 12,000 N95 masks, 38,500 disposable gloves and 200 isolation gowns to the Brant Community Healthcare System, which operates Brantford General Hospital and the Willett urgent-care centre in Paris, and Grand River Hospital in Kitchener. Surgical masks, plastic visors, goggles, hand sanitizer and test kits also are being sent.
“We’re glad to be able to make this contribution to help support our community’ front-line healthcare workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Heidi Northwood, senior executive officer at Laurier’s Brantford campus.
“We’re proud to be part of this caring and resilient community, and will continue to find ways to support our neighbours in Brantford as we navigate these challenging days.”
The thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment were collected from the university’s various faculties and offices.
Health-care organizations have put out the call for donations as shortages of personal protective equipment are expected as the pandemic spreads.
The Laurier donation is one of many that have been made in recent days as number of positive COVID-19 cases in Brantford Brant continues to rise. As of Tuesday, there were 14 local laboratory confirmed cases, up from four last week,
Apotex Pharmachem, one of Brantord’s largest employers, recently donated 800 n95 masks for use by the BCHS and Brant Brantford paramedics. Located on Spalding Drive, Apotex is a pharmaceutical research and development and manufacturing company.
“We are very grateful to Apotex for this generous and much-needed donation of personal protective equipment to protect our emergency services providers,” said Maria Visocchi, Brantford’s director of communications and community engagement.
The BCHS Founation got donations of $250,000 from SC Johnson and $50,00 from ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America) Relief Canada through the Brantford mosque and Muslim Association of Brantford. The ICNA money wll be used to help purchase a ventilator, a critical piece of equipment for treating COVID-19 patients.
“The Brant Community Healthcare System Foundation is so appreciative of the many amazing companies and individuals who have contributed financially and donated personal protective equipment to the healthcare system during this pandemic,” said Crystal Godwaldt, associate director of the healthcare system foundation.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community and with the incredible outpouring of support.”
The foundation has received contributions from many individuals and organizations during the past couple of weeks.
They include: Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 685; Brantford North Dental; David W. Wilson Manufacturing; Fastenal; Just 4 You Nails; Onondaga Brant School staff; Ontario Wildlife Removal Inc.; Parkway Dentistry; Precision Veneer; ProBuild Transmissions; Timbermart; Westervelt College and Workrite Supply Inc.
The foundation works with the BCHS to ensure donations meet Health Canada standards for use in a healthcare system.
Article Courtesy: The Expositor