Dick’s Sporting Goods has joined the growing list of organizations stepping up to help health care providers like Allegheny Health Network (AHN) respond to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in western Pennsylvania. Dick’s donated cots and blankets to AHN, as well as fanny packs for caregivers to carry essential personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, face shields and hand sanitizer.

The fanny packs will provide those on the frontlines a convenient way to store and access their PPE.

“We can’t thank Dick’s enough for its generous support of our caregivers and everyone at AHN and Highmark Health who are working hard to meet the needs of our patients and communities during this challenging time,” said Cynthia Hundorfean, AHN president and CEO.

AHN implemented its pandemic response plan in early February and continues to take steps daily to better prepare for a potential surge of COVID-19 patients in the days and weeks ahead. In late March, the network made protective surgical masks available to all employees working in clinical areas at its affiliated hospitals, and last week announced its innovative N95 mask sterilization and reuse process to further increase the availability of PPE for its employees.

“Dick’s Sporting Goods believes in giving back to our communities throughout the country and here in our hometown of Pittsburgh,” said Colleen Wilson, Dick’s Sporting Goods manager of corporate relations. “Now, more than ever, we felt it was important to support our local hospitals. Through this donation of fanny packs, cots and blankets, it’s our hope that we can support Allegheny Health Network’s ability to receive and care for ill patients during this unprecedented time.”

“Allegheny Health Network places the highest priority on providing safe care for our patients while protecting our staff. To that end, we continue to focus on the heightened importance of PPE for our caregivers who are on the frontlines of this pandemic,” said Allie Quick, AHN chief philanthropy officer. “We’re sincerely grateful for this thoughtful donation from Dick’s. The fully-stocked fanny packs will help keep PPE close to our employees at all times for when they need it.”

Photo courtesy Allegheny Health Network