Editor,

The WhidbeyHealth Foundation is pleased and encouraged by the generous support our community has given to WhidbeyHealth hospital through the foundation.

Thus far, the foundation has raised over $340,000, purchased 22 respiration units, and are working on acquiring 20 more for first responders and hospital staff that are the first contacts with our neighbors that are or may have been infected with the COVID-19 virus.

The foundation is deploying your donations, in conjunction with the hospital’s, needs as quickly as possible to confront this pandemic and its potential recurrence. We know we must treat those infected and help our front-line care providers to protect us all as effectively as possible.

We are also providing funds for additional equipment for rapid testing for the virus, equipment to sanitize areas of potential infection, additional respiration and ventilation equipment, isolation spaces, heart monitoring and necessary training and support for those treating newborns and new moms.

The focus is not only for current needs, but future challenges related to this virus or similar events.

The mission of the WhidbeyHealth Foundation is to support health care on Whidbey Island for improved patient outcomes.

Thank you for your continuing support. Donations can by made by check to the Whidbey Health Foundation, P.O. Box 641, Coupeville, WA 98239, or our website www.whidbeyhealth.org/giving

Ken Hulett

Oak Harbor