TRIANGLE – UNC Health and WakeMed are asking community organizations, corporations and individuals to donate much-needed medical supplies to help protect workers and patients across their respective systems.
While both organizations are conserving key supplies and are prepared to play a significant role in our community’s response to COVID-19, community assistance could help us extend our ability to provide care as our hospitals receive higher numbers of coronavirus patients. We are urging people to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance for social distancing and staying home as much as possible. However, many generous individuals, nonprofits, private companies and others are reaching out to offer support. Currently, the biggest need is additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
“At this critical time, we are calling on our community to donate supplies that will help ensure we can continue to protect our patients, providers, and staff,” said Dr. Wesley Burks, CEO of UNC Health. “This situation is unprecedented, and we are asking for extra help.”
WakeMed Donation Process
WakeMed is grateful for the outpouring of support from our community and will accept donated supplies to be allocated to the areas of greatest needs as it relates to the COVID-19 response. Needed items vary by facility.
Anyone with unopened supplies that may be useful in the response effort are urged to email WakeMed at info@wakemed.org with details regarding available items. Due to high volume, all individuals and organizations that email will be contacted within 24-48 hours regarding the items and the process for making the donation. Please note that only new, unopened packages of supplies will be accepted. WakeMed is not accepting handmade items.
In addition, 100 percent of monetary donations to the WakeMed Foundation’s COVID-19 response will go directly to urgent initiatives. More information can be found at www.wakemed.org/covid-19-donation-page.
UNC Health and WakeMed will consider any of the following items for donations:
Most Urgent Needs
- N95 masks
- Surgical masks
- Surgical masks with shield
- Nasal swabs for medical use
Other Needs
- Disinfectant
- Eye protection, including safety goggles/glasses
- Face shield
- Gloves, disposable
- Gowns, disposable
- Hand sanitizer, greater than 60% alcohol
- Hand soap
- Shoe covers, disposable
UNC Health drop-off locations and hours of operation include:
UNC Health Learning Street
2001 Carrington Mill Blvd
Morrisville, NC 27560
- Monday, March 23; Noon – 4 p.m.
- March 24, 25, 26, 27; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont
100 Sprunt Street
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27517
- Monday, March 23 – Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
UNC Wellness Center at Northwest Cary
350 Stonecroft Lane
Cary, North Carolina 27519
- Monday, March 23 – Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Rex Wellness Center of Raleigh
4200 Lake Boone Trail
Raleigh, NC 27607
- Monday, March 23 – Friday, March 27, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
In the future, UNC Health may open “pop-up” donation centers as needed. Follow us on social to stay up-to-date on how you can help. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
More information can be found at https://www.unchealthcare.org/coronavirus/ways-to-help/. If you have a question about donations email covidsupplies@unchealth.unc.edu.
In addition, the REX Healthcare Foundation in Raleigh can coordinate donated items. Visit www.rexhealthcarefoundation.com, call 919-784-4424, or email Rex.foundation@unchealth.unc.edu for more information.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
UNC Health
Phil Bridges, 919-457-6347, phil.bridges@unchealth.unc.edu
WakeMed
Chris Schmidt, 919-630-2913, cschmidt@wakemed.org