We’ve Got You Covered Local Chinese Community Supports UNC REX During COVID-19
I
n March as COVID-19 spread rapidly through the country, Ping Zhang, director of the Chinese American Civic Center, was in Raleigh creating a GoFundMe page to raise money for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for UNC REX front-line workers. Hannah Chan, vice president of Carolinas Chinese Chamber of Commerce (CCCC), began promoting Zhang’s efforts on social media platforms. “We started collecting money and face masks,” Chan said. “People started dropping off masks at the office, and within the first week of increased marketing we raised $15,000. In all we collected almost $50,000, and we got another $50,000 in equivalent PPE donations.” As Chan and Zhang were helping UNC REX co-workers, Jianping Yang, president of the Chinese-American Friendship Association of North Carolina (CAFA), was simultaneously spearheading a donation effort for UNC REX. The money and PPE were raised during three weeks in March. “After April I think the hospital had a sufficient number of PPE, so we started buying regular masks for the general public,” Yang said. For Chan and Yang, donating PPE to UNC REX was personal: Chan’s mother is a retired nurse, her father is a retired pharmacist and Yang’s friend, Qingxiao Cheng, is a nurse at UNC REX.
When the community is hurting, we’re all hurting.
“Initially, the only place the masks could be purchased was in China because the U.S. didn’t have a supply,” said Yang. “I have friends who work for the Chinese Ministry of Health. We knew there was a shortage of PPE here so we … thought it was a good idea to fundraise for the doctors and nurses.” Chan’s respect for healthcare workers led to her involvement. “I really appreciate the doctors, nurses, delivery people, post office workers, firefighters and police
6
One of many deliveries of PPE donatoins from CCCC and CAFA.
officers,” she said. “I appreciate all of the front-line workers who during this time put other people first.” Chan grew emotional while discussing reading about a nurse who worked all day yet was fearful of going home and spreading the coronavirus to her family. “The article made me think about my parents and other healthcare workers,” Chan said. “Some people can work from home, but the nurses and doctors can’t do that.” Chan said she fells good about what they have done. “When the community is hurting, we’re all hurting,” she said.
