Dear Foundation friends and supporters,
With growing global concerns around COVID-19 (“coronavirus”), I wanted to provide you with an update on our response to date and our commitment to you moving forward. The health, safety, and well-being of our employees, donors, partners, and the patients who are seeking care on the hospital campus where our offices are located are our Foundation’s top priorities. We are following the lead of Canadian public health authorities and are taking proactive measures as this situation evolves. These include:
- Closing our Foundation offices as a precautionary measure and having all Foundation employees set up to work-from-home as of Monday, March 16th. All in-person meetings will be moved to teleconference.
- Working “virtually” until April 14th while actively monitoring the evolution of this global pandemic and returning to regular operating procedures once health authorities deem it safe for our staff to do so.
- Cancelling all Foundation events through until April 14th, then carefully assessing the viability of future events with a continued emphasis on the health and safety of our guests and supporters. We care deeply about our supporters and will not host an event until we are certain everyone’s safety is assured.
- Increasing communications and reminders with our donors, partners, and employees on important health and safety measures and conveying decisions regarding events as expediently as possible.
We understand that many questions remain, and a sense of uncertainty lingers regarding what is yet to come. However, I want to reassure you that the entire Foundation staff is deeply committed to addressing your questions or concerns. We encourage you to reach out and will also have staff and senior leadership provide ongoing updates. Aside from foregoing in-person meetings and a physical office location to attend, we intend to carry on with business as usual as best as we possibly can. Donors may experience a slightly longer than usual lag time in receiving tax receipts. Still, we have our senior leadership team prepared to respond as quickly and safely as humanly possible to ensure we meet the expectations of our supporters.
Lastly, I would encourage each of us to be kind, gracious, and patient with one another in the weeks and months ahead. This is a rapidly evolving global situation, and we’re all in it together. Let’s find a way to lift each other up and consider how this crisis may impact vulnerable individuals, to not foster xenophobic stereotypes, and share empathy and compassion in abundance across our communities.
And while this information is seemingly everywhere, it is also worth repeating:
- Practice social distancing.
- Wash your hands frequently, vigorously, and for at least 20 seconds.
- Everybody needs toilet paper. Don’t hoard it.
- Cough into your elbow or sleeve, not your hand.
- Feeling sick? Stay home. Call 811 if you think you may have COVID-19.
- Don’t touch your face.
For more information or updates on COVID-19, please visit HealthLinkBC.ca
Thank you for your steadfast support and patience while we navigate this challenging time. Should you have immediate questions, please write to info@bcwomensfoundation.org
With sincere thanks,
Genesa M. Greening
President + CEO, BC Women’s Health Foundation
