St. Michaels University School has donated more than 10,000 masks, 50 isolation tents and protective clothing it received from a couple whose daughter is enrolled in Grade 11 at the independent school.
“With the school closed, we decided it was better to help the community and get the equipment to those who need it the most,” said Shara Campsall, assistant director of advancement at the school. “Personal safety of our front-line medical personnel is a real, real issue. This donation is an example of everybody coming together, globally, to help.”
The school reached out to one of its alumni, who connected them with Island Health, which gratefully accepted the shipment.
“Thank you to the St. Michaels University School community for this generous donation and supporting our staff in the work they do every day,” said James Hanson, vice-president of operations and support for Island Health.
Hanson said the gift from donor parent Liang Liao will help provide front-line workers with critical equipment they require to provide care and keep patients, families and staff safe.
Dr. Colin Riddler, a physician at Royal Jubilee Hospital — one of two designated COVID-19 hospitals on the Island — and an SMUS alumnus, said the donation is “greatly appreciated,” adding his biggest fear is having to work without protective equipment.
People who want to donate and businesses that can supply Island Health with personal protective equipment and medical and non-medical products and services can do so through the Island Health webpage.
The pandemic has led to a huge demand worldwide for personal protective equipment for health-care workers, including examination gloves, surgical masks, protective gowns, eye protection, hand sanitizer and medical-grade disinfectant wipes.
The province has created a COVID-19 Supply Hub, a platform that helps co-ordinate, source and expedite medical supplies for provincial health authorities. The hub has fielded thousands of offers of essential supplies from businesses and other organizations since the onset of the COVID-19 response.
The hub is managed under the new Provincial Supply Co-ordination Unit at Emergency Management B.C., in partnership with the Provincial Health Services Authority.
As of April 14, the province had received close to 31 million donated items, including more than 10 million face shields, 10 million respirator filters, five million N95 masks, five million surgical gloves and 500,000 goggles.
The collected items will be distributed to hospitals and other care organizations, including long-term care, home care, community health support and assisted-living facilities.
Note to readers: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Shara Campsall's name and her title.
