11/17/16 Mission Health, community donate supplies to firefighters

Contact: Rowena Buffett Timms
Mission Health (828) 213-1221

Mission Health, community donate supplies to fire fighters
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 17, 2016) –

Mission Health caregivers and patients continue to donate supplies to help fire fighters and emergency workers who are battling blazes across western North Carolina. Mission Health set up donation boxes at each of its six hospitals and at its offices at Ridgefield Court in Asheville. The supplies will be delivered to area fire departments for distribution to the men and women who working on the front lines of the massive forest fires. Mission Health is grateful for all the fire crews who have traveled to the Southeast from across the nation to help. The supply donation operation will continue until it is no longer needed.

“Mission Health team members are stepping up in a big way to help the men and women who are fighting these tragic fires and keeping our communities safe,” said Ronald A. Paulus, MD, President and CEO of Mission Health. “But more help is needed. We are asking our team members and the public to continue making a donations at one of our hospitals as long as the fires continue. If you can’t make it to a Mission Health hospital, please consider dropping items at your local fire department.”

Fire fighters are working in extreme drought conditions. The dry weather, combined with the wind, sun and smoke, make hydration and skin protection a top priority for those on the front lines.

Top needs include: • Eye drops • Saline nasal spray • Lip balm • Pocket-size body lotion • Individual packets of ibuprofen • Energy bars • Socks

Needs by category Hygiene and health • Hand sanitizer • Shaving razors • Shaving cream • Soap and body wash • Deodorant • Mouth wash • Hand sanitizer • Foot powder • Over-the-counter allergy medication • Benadryl • Wipes • Foot powder

Clothes and equipment • AA and AAA batteries • Head lamps • Bandanas • Moleskin • Duct Tape • Boot socks and laces • Work gloves • Hand warmers • Gas powered leaf blowers to loan out for leaf mitigation

Food • Water • Electrolyte drinks • Paper plates • Styrofoam cups • Packaged utensils • Food to-go boxes • Coffee and coffee accessories • Beef jerky • Sunflower seeds • Fresh fruit • Hard candy • Canned foods • Bread and sandwich fixings

Smoke from the fires continues to create poor air quality across the region. If you, or a family member, are suffering from symptoms related to the poor air quality, please consult a doctor. Children, the elderly and those with conditions including asthma and COPD are most at risk.

Mission Health owes a debt of gratitude to all of the fire fighters and emergency first responders who are giving their time and facing a dangerous conditions to help protect the western North Carolina region we call home. Fire departments and county emergency managers are encouraged to call Mission Health Government and Community Relations with specific needs. The number is (828) 213-1221.

### About Mission Health Mission Health, based in Asheville, North Carolina, is the state’s sixth-largest health system and was recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems from 2012-2015 by Truven Health Analytics, formerly Thomson Reuters, becoming the only health system in North Carolina to achieve this recognition. Mission Health operates six hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers, postacute care provider CarePartners, long-term acute care provider Asheville Specialty Hospital, and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. With approximately 10,700 employees and 2,000 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org or @MissionHealthNC.