St. Michael’s alumni donate 8,000 N95 masks to Dell Children’s Medical Center

St. Michael’s Catholic Academy alumni families collectively donated 8,000 N95 respirator face masks to Dell Children’s Medical Center on May 5, which, according to a press release is the only dedicated freestanding pediatric facility and Level I pediatric trauma center in the area.

Access to personal protective equipment, or PPE, is critical for health care workers on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic. Recognizing this concern, a group of St. Michael’s families sprung into action.

The effort was organized by alumni Tracy and Jarret Anderson who worked alongside St. Michael’s Mums of Alums group.

“Jarret and I wanted to do something to support the front lines and local businesses in the fight against COVID-19,” Tracy Anderson said in the release.

The Andersons initially sent a food delivery to St. David’s but, according to Tracy, they wanted to continue their efforts. The idea to donate face masks was developed upon hearing concerns of health care workers' access to PPE.

With social distancing in mind, a courier service delivered the masks to the donation station across from Dell Children’s Medical Center.

“A mask may seem like such a simple item; however, it provides the staff with the protection they need to continue their heroic work on the front lines of this pandemic,” said Stephanie Loera, senior critical products manager for The Resource Group, an organization managing the supply chain at Ascension Hospital sites.