Gatineau, May 8th, 2020 – Since the creation of the COVID-19 Emergency Fund last March, the Gatineau Health Foundation has launched a number of initiatives supporting the employees and patients of the CISSS de l’Outaouais.

“Our guardian angels are working tirelessly despite the risk of contracting COVID-19. As they face constant pressure in their fight against this invisible enemy, they can become vulnerable to fatigue and anxiety. And yet they go back to work every day to protect the rest of us. We need to keep them safe too.” Jean Pigeon, Director General, Gatineau Health Foundation

In recent weeks, our efforts to deal with this ongoing crisis have focused on finding a trusted supplier offering competitive prices for equipment that meets the Department of Health and Social Services’ standards. Charles Masse, Vice-President of the Heafey Group, immediately stepped up to help by putting his network to good use and contributing financially as an individual and through the Heafey Group. Thanks to his hard work and perseverance, the Foundation was finally able to get its hands on more than 100,000 procedural masks that were handed over to the CISSS de l’Outaouais.

“We are very grateful for the work done by the Gatineau Health Foundation and the Heafey Group. By contributing resources, time and energy to securing this large order of masks, they have shown the strength of their commitment to help the region’s health and social services system meet its needs, which are especially great given the current pandemic. I thank them wholeheartedly.” Josée Filion, President and Executive Director of the CISSS de l’Outaouais

We especially want to highlight the generosity of the numerous donors who answered our call to help set up a COVID-19 Emergency Fund, with a particular nod to the exceptional contributions of the Fondation Choquette-Legault, Mr. Maurice Marois, the Heafey Group, Brookfield Renewable Power/Evolugen, Mr. Nicolas Tremblay, the Junic Group, the Frontline Fund and Mr. Charles Masse.