Jeff McAloon, the president of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation. (Image: Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation/Submitted)
The Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation received a generous donation to its New Brunswick COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.
The Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation has donated $1 million to the fund, aimed to help the areas of greatest need in provincial healthcare facilities.
“We’re absolutely blown away by (the foundation’s) generosity,” said the hospital foundation President and CEO Jeff McAloon. “We’re so happy that many people in our community are stepping up to do whatever we can to help our healthcare workers – we need them right now.”
The hospital foundation’s COVID-19 relief fund was established at the outset of the outbreak in Canada, as schools were beginning to close, and social restrictions were first being implemented.
Join us in thanking the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation for their 1 MILLION DOLLAR gift to the NB COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. This gift gives us security for our healthcare services and a much needed boost for those working in our hospitals and clinics. We thank you! pic.twitter.com/gOeNrPT33l
— SJRHFoundation (@SJRHFoundation) March 25, 2020
“We had a number of our donors call us and say ‘what can we do? What is the need, and how can we support you?'” McAloon said.
With long-lasting impacts expected from the novel coronavirus, the hope is the relief fund will help hospitals be prepared for any needs which arise.
“Long after the general community feels the direct impact of this, our healthcare workers are going to be dealing with this,” said McAloon.
As economic impacts affect many across the province, McAloon says the hospital foundation didn’t want to put too much pressure on residents who are feeling the stress of layoffs.
“We want to be careful not to be seen requesting things from the community when they are uncertain, however there are a large number of people in the community that do want to do something,” said McAloon. “That’s why foundations like us exist. We’re here to help connect people in the community that are willing and able to make a difference do just that.”
Since setting up the relief fund, the hospital foundation has also had $20,000 donations from the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation.
“There’s a tremendous desire out there from some in the community to help make a difference,” McAloon said.
Anyone interested in making donations to the New Brunswick COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund can donate online.
