BAPS Charities donated 13,000 ‘N95’ face masks to hospitals in Canada; and also appeals to others to support front-line health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These masks were initially acquired to be used by volunteers during BAPS Charities Health Fairs, Blood Donation Drives and other health related activities across Canada. However, with coronavirus (COVID-19) cases rising, and with hospitals across the country facing shortages of protective equipment, especially face masks, BAPS Charities decided to donate all the masks for the use of front-line healthcare professionals in various hospitals across Canada.
“We feel that the healthcare professionals are vital to our community and with the level of risk they are undertaking, they need to be well protected. If they are safe, we are safer”, said Shirish Shah, President of BAPS Charities, Canada, “This is the least we can do. At the same time we would like to appeal to others who have extra medical supplies to come forward and donate them to your local medical clinics or hospitals. As a part of the society we live in, it is our responsibility to support the community, especially during such critical times.”
Yogesh Patel, Director of Operations further added, “Within a very short time our volunteers managed to deliver the masks to various health networks across Canada.” The organizations benefiting from this donation include:
Ontario:
William Osler Health System
University Health Network
Scarborough Health Network
SickKids Hospital
Trillium Health Foundation
Mackenzie Health
St. Joseph’s Health Centre
St. Michael’s Hospital
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
British Columbia:
Surrey Emergency Operations
Surrey firefighters Association
Alberta:
Alberta Health Services
Manitoba:
Victoria General Hospital Foundation
We have seen the work that BAPS Charities does in communities across Canada and we did not think twice when they approached us for help.
Manoj Sharma, President and CEO of East & West Transportation.
Thank you for your incredible donation of 13,000 N95 masks to hospitals in Canada that are much needed and appreciated. We need to support our healthcare workers and our first responders who are on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19.
Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
Your (BAPS Charities) kindness as always will inspire many. Thank you for inspiring all of us to do and be better. I am honoured to have you battling this by our side. Be well, stay safe.
Ken Mayhew, President and CEO, William Osler Health System Foundation
We convey our gratitude for the continued generosity and support from BAPS Charities, especially during these challenging times. The wonderful gift has been posted on the SHN Foundation website.
Guy Bonnell, Vice President, Community Development, Scarborough Health Network Foundation
The Hospital for Sick Children is tremendously grateful to BAPS Charities for the vital donation of 1,000 N95 masks. During these extraordinary times, it is of utmost importance that our frontline healthcare staff have Personal Protective Equipment to keep them and our patients safe. BAPS Charities has been an exemplary partner of SickKids for many years. Your selfless support of our community is very much appreciated.
Ted Garrard, Chief Executive Officer, SickKids Foundation
Trillium Health Partners is so appreciative of your extraordinary donation of N-95 masks for our frontline staff. I, along with many others in our hospital and Foundation, are deeply touched by the response that we have received from our community who have wanted to help those on the front lines of care during this unprecedented time. Thank you on behalf of patients and frontline healthcare workers for joining us in this fight.
Caroline Riseboro, President & CEO, Trillium Health Partners Foundation
I want to personally thank you for thinking of us for this gift of greatly needed PPE, and the generous donation of N95 masks. The adequacy of our stores of PPE supplies to get through the COVID-19 outbreak is currently our number one concern at Unity Health.
Dean Martin, Executive Vice President, Corporate Services and CFO, Unity Health Toronto – St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of all Sunnybrookers, for this generous and crucial contribution. Masks are critical at present; they allow us to keep our patients safe and our teams safe. Safe teams and healthy Sunnybrookers can provide effective and excellent care for our patients”.
Andy Smith, President & CEO, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
On behalf of UHN, I would like to express our deepest gratitude for the kindness and contributions. These are unprecedented times and your generosity reminds us that we can – and will – get through this by coming together more closely than ever before.
Your donation of 1000 N95 masks has enabled our hospital to better respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in service of the province and nation.
Thank you for above and beyond to help patients, communities and the heroes on the frontlines of healthcare.
Dr. Kevin Smith, President & CEO, United Health Network
We are so grateful to you and BAPS Charities for stepping up and taking the lead in supporting our Health Care workers. I appreciate the support in this time of need. Thank you!
Steve Merker, Vice President, Corporate & Community Partnerships, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
Thank you for delivering the mask …. We truly have appreciated your assistance with this. Please pass along our thanks and gratitude to everyone concerned and stay safe!
Ron Hogue, Director of Development, Victoria General Hospital Foundation
BAPS Charities is grateful to its volunteers for helping to keep the community healthy. In addition to this donation, BAPS Charities has organized and implemented several online awareness campaigns for the community on how to stay healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The volunteers of the organization throughout North America are continually assessing the situation in their communities to find ways to help.
