A group of companies in Burlington and Hamilton answered a call from Canadian hockey great Hayley Wickenheiser for personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers.
Wickenheiser is currently going through medical school to become a doctor and says she’s heard the desperate pleas for PPE from her friends working on the frontlines.
Wickenheiser decided to put a call out on social media asking for donations of gowns, masks, and gloves.
1/2 After desperate pleas from my front line friends in Toronto, I have decided to put an ask out. These items are not for my use at all. I’m not seeking cash, rather these items: 1350 N95 (68 boxes)
13,500 surgical masks (135 boxes)
13,500 gloves (135 boxes)
1,350 chemo gowns— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) April 5, 2020
“If you are a business or person in Toronto and you can help, I will personally pick up these items myself w/ proper distancing and PPE. I don’t have much to offer in return, maybe a signed jersey, a smile, and guaranteed good karma. If you can help email: robb@wickhockey.com,” she wrote in a tweet.
The post caught the eye of Wickeheiser’s long-time friend and Canadian actor, Ryan Reynolds.
Reynolds retweeted the post and offered to send anyone who donated to the cause a personalized video, autograph or movie memorabilia.
Read @wick_22’s message below. But first… People who help Hayley get this critical PPE gear will get something awesome from me. I’ll send you personalized videos. I’ll sign whatever you want. I’ll send Deadpool Bobbleheads and/or movie memorabilia. https://t.co/RxwPWFt8CW
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) April 6, 2020
Wickenheiser proved good on her word Monday night and showed up to personally pick up a load of donations in Burlington.
Several thousands of N95 masks and gloves were donated and taken directly to a storage facility in Toronto.
Wickenhesier says from there, the equipment will go right into the hands of front line workers.
“We just want to spread the word as private citizens and private businesses, as little or as much as you have can really help. It’s going to go right in the hands of frontline workers, not through admin or the slow red tape process,” said Wickenheiser.
The group also received a surprise video phone call from Reynolds during the meetup.
During the chat, Hayley took the phone around and introduced Reynolds to the donators including a man whose organization gifted 27,000 N95 masks.
“Steve, if I could rip that mask off of you and kiss you I would,” said Reynolds. “You’re an absolute hero.”
Reynolds said Wickenheiser has always been a huge inspiration to his entire family, and he was thrilled to play even a small role in the work she is doing.
“I’m trying to do at least everything I can from the position I sit, helping people like the real heroes like Hayley Wickenheiser who are just out there on the front lines. I mean literally changing Olympic medals for metal, actual tests of metal so I’m just super inspired by Canadians like her and Canadians like everyone who’s standing in that parking lot,” said Reynolds.
Wickenheiser is still looking for donations of new products in unopened boxes. She says medical grade is preferred but at this point, they will take anything from goggles to masks to sanitizing wipes and baby monitors.
Reynolds and Wickenheiser have now also teamed up with Conquer COVID-19 which will be hosting a donation drive every Saturday in Toronto at XYZ Storage.
@VancityReynolds and I have teamed up with @conquercovid19. See below and see you Saturday 🇨🇦🙏 https://t.co/A3eP43ooj2
— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) April 7, 2020
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