Kindness saves lives: Nonprofit donates 10,000 masks to UNC Health

Medical providers are facing a dangerous shortage of protective equipment, while fighting on the front lines in the coronavirus battle. Without proper safety gear, they are putting their own health at risk as they try to protect ours. But a huge act of kindness could help protect our health care professionals.

Posted 2:58 p.m. Mar 25, 2020 — Updated 3:06 p.m. Mar 25, 2020

Mikaya Thurmond

, WRAL anchor/reporter

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A huge act of kindness could save lives at UNC Health hospitals.

Medical providers around the globe are facing a dangerous shortage of protective equipment. Hospital workers are on the front lines in the coronavirus battle; however, without proper safety gear, they are putting their own health at risk as they try to protect ours.

"Out of Spain’s 40,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, 5,400 — nearly 14% — are medical professionals," according to a recent article.

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Coming to the rescue -- an international non-profit Samaritan's Purse donated 10,000 life-saving masks to the UNC Health Care system.

The hospital put out a call for donations of medical supplies on Sunday. By Wednesday, their call was answered. Samaritan's Purse is giving one of the largest donations UNC health has ever received.

In total, Samaritan's Purse is donating over 55,000 masks to area hospitals.

Samaritan's Purse said they are grateful to be able to make the donation.

A community pulls together to protect each other

This is one of the largest donations UNC Health has received since we put out a call for donated masks, gloves and other medical supplies on Sunday (see attached announcement).

UNC Health caregivers said they are grateful for the outpouring of support from schools, businesses, community organizations and individuals. "So far, we’ve collected more than 30,000 donated masks," said an official. They've also requested gloves and other protective equipment.

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