A SHORTAGE of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) for medical frontliners can put our healthcare workers at risk during the pandemic. Following is a list of how you can help the effort by donating either materials or cash to aid in the effort of closing the PPE gap.

MANILA PROTECTIVE GEAR SEWING CLUB
Fashion designer and milliner Mich Dulce and her team have spearheaded an effort to provide PPEs to frontline healthcare workers in hospitals via her Facebook group, Manila Protective Gear Sewing Club. She clarifies, however, that the isolation suits the team works on are not of medical grade. In a Facebook post, she said, “We are making suits as a layer of protection for healthcare workers, as some of them are now reduced to using raincoats and garbage bags. These suits are a more durable alternative to that, but not medical grade, and as I’ve been saying from the beginning, should be distributed accordingly.” The team accepts cash donations for purchasing materials, and one can donate via BPI Savings (Account No.: 4169591143, under Stephanie Tan), or through GCash (Mobile no.: 0906-474-6084, under Ms. Tan, as well). As for donations for materials, one can call or contact Cynthia Diaz at 0917-866-2496. They are currently accepting donations of water-repellent fabrics, non-woven material of 50 gsm up, zippers of 26 or longer, garters, and elastics. The group has resources on the appropriate materials, as well as patterns for home sewing, sign-up sheets for sewing volunteers, and even information on everything from getting assistance to securing necessary permits.

HAPPY ANDRADA
Fashion designer Happy Andrada is selling accessories and a few gorgeous pieces for the fight against COVID-19. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will go on to purchase PPE suits, face masks, shoe covers, gloves, head covers, and scrub suits for medical frontliners. The items for sale are available at shophappyandrada.bigcartel.com.

PATRICIA PASCUAL DESIGNS
Wedding dress designer Patricia Pascual is looking for material donations for making PPE suits: umbrella and raincoat material, thread, and garters. Donations may be dropped off at Granwood Villas, BF Homes, Quezon City. Cash donations are also accepted via Ms. Pascual’s accounts at BPI (0279102185 — Patricia Pascual), BDO (006540130618 — Patricia Pascual), and GCash (09178022016).

ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY
Meanwhile, the Ateneo Areté Makerspace is looking for material donations to make face shields (namely: acetate films, non-foam double-sided tape, garters at 3/4”-1/2” width; acrylic sheets 2mm thick, rubber/EVA foam sheets 2mm-4mm thick). For donations, fill out google form bit.ly/Made4Frontliners, or send an e-mail to arete@ateneo.edu, The face shields created in Areté are passed on to the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) for distribution to hospitals. “What we are manufacturing are not medical grade PPEs, but they have been approved by doctors as an alternative low-risk PPE.” Speaking of the ASMPH, a group of medical interns are also making face shields, with some donations already forwarded to The Medical City, Ospital ng Makati, Rizal Community Center, and partner community health centers in Payatas. To donate, contact 0905-325-2001 or e-mail janellegagelonia@obf.ateneo.edu.

The Ateneo de Manila University is also raising funds to provide food, shelter, and hygiene items for communities through the Tanging Yaman Foundation (Metrobank, Account: Tanging Yaman Foundation; 448-7-44800988-9; Tanong, Marikina Branch) and through giving.ateneo.edu (under the Disaster Response and Management Team).

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