Pulling Out All the Stops

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UHN researcher and philanthropist work together to secure N95 masks for frontline medical staff
Posted On: April 14, 2020
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The shipment of 20,000 N95 masks arrived in 84 boxes on April 6, 2020 and will be distributed to UHN staff and health care workers.

An Air Canada plane touched down at Toronto Pearson International Airport late on the evening of April 11 with 20,000 N95 masks. The final destination: UHN’s heroic frontline medical staff, who are battling COVID-19.

The arrival of the masks was the result of two weeks of intensive planning by a Chinese-Canadian philanthropist who wishes to remain anonymous, and Dr. Gang Zheng, the Associate Research Director of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

The process was set in motion by the donor, who scoured the Chinese medical supply chain to identify a certified N95 respirator factory in Shenzhen. He was able to secure an allocation of 20,000 masks to be produced near the end of March—a major challenge given the unprecedented global shortage in personal protective equipment (PPE).

"The local people in Shenzhen were very supportive and wanted to help Canadians. They know of UHN’s great reputation as an affiliated hospital of the University of Toronto and wanted to help our frontline staff," said Dr. Zheng.

To get the N95 masks shipped to Canada without delay, Dr. Zheng reached out to his local MP, Mr. Ali Ehsassi, who immediately connected him with a representative from Air Canada.

Air Canada’s Cargo Services team in Hong Kong joined the team and worked with the donor’s customs agent to arrange the shipping details. With their help, the N95 masks were on the next flight to Canada.

N95 masks or respirators, when properly worn, can offer health care workers significant protection against COVID-19 infection. The masks can filter out 95% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns or larger in diameter—including aerosols containing the virus.

Getting enough PPE, including N95 masks, to protect frontline health care workers is a top priority for the Ontario and federal governments. “We can keep waiting for the masks to arrive, or we can make something happen,” said Dr. Zheng. “As the email chain grew longer, it quickly became a team effort.”

Ajay Pillai, head of International Services at UHN, coordinates the reception of PPE and medical supply donations. He and his team have been focusing on big donations, such as this one, while they work with the UHN foundations on setting up a space to receive donations by mail. The team examines all donated PPE to ensure they meet safety standards before putting them into inventory for use at sites across UHN.

Dr. Brad Wouters, UHN's Executive Vice President of Science and Research, said, "It is absolutely inspiring to see the global community come together. Thank you to everyone who helped. Your efforts have contributed to the safety of UHN staff on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.”

 

For donations of PPE and medical equipment, please contact Ajay Pillai, head of International Services, UHN Solutions. For other donations such as food gift certificates, hotel rooms and parking spaces, please contact Justin Young, director of Business Development and Consulting. For financial donations to support UHN’s response to COVID-19, please contact the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation or The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

Dr. Gang Zheng, Associate Research Director and Senior Scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, worked closely with the donor to bring the N95 masks to Canada.