OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - — Area hospitals are asking the community to help keep doctors, nurses and other hospital staff safe from the spread of COVID-19.
"I think being a front line health care worker is often times a calling,"Methodist Hospital Foundation President and CEO Tracy Madden-McMahon said. "These are really special people that do what they do, without the glamour, without the need for thank you's ... they do it because it has a direct impact on our community."
As doctors and nurses work around the clock to keep people safe, there's a growing need for medical supplies.
"It is going to take each and every one of us to get through this," Madden-McMahon said. "It's uncharted territory."
Like most hospitals across the country, Methodists is need of N-95 respirator masks, face masks and shields, goggles, isolation gowns, hand sanitizer, and hand soap.
"Our teams are doing an amazing job managing those supplies and working to get more of those supplies but it is a situation where every bit can make a difference, and so if you have those items we would ask you to consider making a donation, we would really be grateful," Madden-McMahon said.
Across the river, Pottawattamie County health officials are asking people to donate homemade masks because of the national shortage of personal protective equipment.
Local health care systems are already seeing an outpouring of support.
Omaha Public Schools recently donated thousands of gloves and masks to UNMC/Nebraska Medicine.
Madden-McMahon says aside from PPE, hospital staff also needs your support.
"Reach out (and we don't physically have to reach out), we can stay put and we can use social media, we can write letters, you can give someone a telephone call and just let them know you appreciate what they're doing," she said.
Methodists is taking donations Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., at the main entrance of Methodists Health System's corporate office located at 825 S 169th Street.
Those wanting to donate in Council Bluffs should call (712)-890-5365, and to make donations in Fremont, call (402)-727-3566.
