New website facilitates donations of needed medical items
An outpouring of community offers spurs creation of site for cash and in-kind gifts — face masks, hand sanitizer and other goods.Media Contact: Susan Gregg - 206.616.6730, sghanson@uw.edu
UW Medicine has seen an unprecedented outpouring of inquiries from the community asking how they can help staff who are working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, we've set up a website where individuals can make cash or in-kind donations and leave messages of support for healthcare workers. The website provides information along with a form to start an in-kind gift.
Also starting today, UW Medicine will collect in-kind donations for items needed to respond to the pandemic, to provide patient care and ensure the well-being of clinicians. These donations can be shipped to, or dropped off at, the designated receiving site at 4515 25th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105. The site will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. All in-kind donations must be made through the drop-off center rather than at individual hospitals and clinics.
UW Medicine can accept the following items in unopened, original packaging:
- Disposable face masks: all types, including N-95 respirators
- Clear face shields
- Clear safety/medical glasses or goggles
- Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Systems
- Exam and surgical gloves
- Isolation gowns
- Disinfecting wipes
- Hand sanitizer
Messages of support for front line healthcare workers also are being collected on the website.
“Some of our staff have had few breaks as we see an increasing number of coronavirus patients and change how our hospitals and clinics are operating,” said Lisa Brandenburg, president of UW Medicine hospitals and clinics. “Kind notes and positive messages have been greatly appreciated. UW Medicine has an amazing team that is working to care for our community in this unprecedented time.”
In the past week, online donations to the UW Medicine Emergency Response Fund have exceeded $250,000. Funds support the expansion of COVID-19 testing, increased inpatient care capacity, telehealth, research, and other critical efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to care for people affected by the virus.
Email covidgifts@uw.edu with questions.
UW Medicine includes Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical Center – Montlake, UW Medical Center – Northwest, Valley Medical Center, UW Neighborhood Clinics, Airlift Northwest and the UW School of Medicine.
For details about UW Medicine, please visit http://uwmedicine.org/about.