A group of local women is asking Squamish to come together to buy life-saving equipment for our hospital.
Jaime Morum, one of the members of the Squamish 100 Women Who Care chapter, came up with the idea and helped launch the new goal on March 25.
The group typically gathers quarterly to donate to local causes. While their next meeting isn't until May, in anticipation that they will not be able to meet in-person during the pandemic, Morum suggested that they begin a new initiative sooner.
“I just want to be able to help in a tangible way. Of course, we're self-isolating and staying home, but I felt like we could do more as a community,” Morum told The Chief.
While she said Squamish healthcare workers may currently have the personal protective equipment they need, that could change quickly.
In Squamish, Morum said there are only four ventilators and one transport ventilator. The funds would go toward buying an additional ventilator for the Squamish General Hospital. They’d also like to purchase a glide scope for intubating patients (inserting tubes that assist with breathing) and a Lifepak for resuscitation. These three pieces of equipment can cost between $50,000 to $60,000 each.
"All three of those things ... we could also use after COVID. It could be something that the hospital could use to support our community for years and years and years to come,' she said.
Starting on March 25, the 100 Women Who Care in Squamish asked their members and the public to help raise funds for the cause. Those interested can contribute to the Squamish Hospital Foundation on www.canadahelps.org by donating to their general cause and adding "Fight Covid" in the message box.
If the money raised doesn't end up getting used for COVID-19, it will still go toward healthcare needs in Squamish.
"I know that it's a really tough time for businesses. Lots of businesses are shutting down and people are losing jobs, and people are stressed. I understand that not everybody can help in this way, but if there are people that could help in this way, let's get the word out and see what we can do," Morum said.
"It might not be someone from my family, and it might not be someone from 100 Women Who Care that needs this support, but it's someone from within our community. We want to do everything we can to make sure everyone's healthy and safe."
