By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Volunteers, observing social distancing, sort out medical supplies to be donated to regional hospitals.
Dentists from across the region have stepped up to help area hospitals with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), turning over a cache of donated equipment planned to be used for a charity event in June.
With the status of Mission of Mercy-PA up in the air — the annual event offers free dental care to disadvantaged folks over a two-day period — the organization behind it had a stock of badly needed medical supplies in anticipation of the event.
Although the event had been planned for June in Philadelphia (it has been at various locations in the state over the last seven years), the board of the organization moved literally and figuratively this week to donate their supplies for the event to six area hospitals in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen shortages of various types of protective health gear.
This week, members of the organization went to their storage unit and loaded up six trucks — carefully maintaining social distancing – to help six hospitals: Temple University, Lankenau, Jefferson Torresdale, Fox Chase, Abington and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“The Board of MOM-n-PA agreed to donate their entire inventory of PPE (personal protective equipment) to six southeast Pennsylvania health organizations in an effort to aid in the fight against the COVID-19 virus,” said Dr. Ronald Heier, chairman of volunteers for MOM-n-Pa.
MOM-N-PA donated 53,150 masks, 312 boxes of gloves, 893 gowns, 130 hand sanitizers and 3 caviwipes, Heier said.
“MOM-n-PA is a non-profit organization which holds an annual free dental mission which treats up to 2000 patients over a two day period, said Heier who formerly had practices in Malvern and Devon and volunteers with Community Volunteers in Medicine. “MOM-n-PA since 2013 has provided dental care for the relief of pain to over 10,000 of the most needy, many of whom are from working families who do not have access or cannot afford dental insurance. The 2020 event had been scheduled for June 5 and 6 at the Liacouras Center at Temple University. For updates or to make a donation, visit our dental mission website at http://www.MOM-n-PA.com.”
The status of the June event remains to be determined, but if the event is postponed — a very real possibility without the donated supplies and concerns about the ongoing lockdown in southeast Pennsylvania — organizers hope to reschedule it for the fall.
Additionally, local hospitals in the Chester County/Delaware County area continue to seek donations of supplies to help battle the pandemic.
Chester County Hospital has set up a drive-through donation center — hospital officials are stressing that people should not get out of their cars. They are seeking the following items:
• Masks, face protection, paper ear loop or tie in original carton
• Gloves, non-latex, all sizes in original carton
• Wipes, bleach, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
• Bleach, bottles of household, unscented,
splash free
• Hand sanitizers
• Head covers, disposable bouffant type with
elastic band
• Shoe covers, disposable
• Eye protection including face shields
• Safety goggles
• Gowns, disposable water resistant cover
gowns in original carton
• PAPRs (powered air-purifying respirators)
and PAPR hoods.
For more information, got to their Website: https://www.cccbi.org/wp-content/uploads/Chester-County-Hospital-Request-for-Help.pdf
Main Line Health, which operates Bryn Mawr, Paoli and Riddle Hospitals among others in the region is also seeking donations. Those seeking to donate should email: covidsupplydonations@mlhs.org
A total list of needs can be found here: https://www.cccbi.org/wp-content/uploads/MLH.-Supplies.2020.pdf
Tower Health, which operates Brandywine, Jennersville and Phoenixville hospitals in Chester County is also seeking donations.
Tower Health is seeking:
· Masks: looped procedure masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks
· Gowns: surgical and Isolation gowns
· Eye ware: protective googles and face shields
· Disinfectant wipes & sanitizers
· Surgical gloves
The three hospitals:
Brandywine Hospital: 201 Reeceville Road, Coatesville, PA 19320
Steven Abrahamsen – 610-383-8044
Phoenixville Hospital: 140 Nutt Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460
David Mathews – 610-983-1946
Jennersville Hospital: 1015 West Baltimore Pike, West Grove, PA 19390
Brandon Hill – 610-869-1000
For Large Donations or Logistical Questions for the Tower Heath Hospitals, please contact: David Grube at David.Grube@towerhealth.org
Office: 484-628-8656 Mobile: 610-718-6939
