Supplies and equipment were donated to WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center by the West Virginia and Appalachian Laborers’ District Council. From left: Jessie King, business manager of Laborers’ Local 1085; Ross McPherson, administrator of the West Virginia Laborers’ Training Center; Chris Miller from Camden Clark; and Craig Harvey, business manager of the West Virginia and Appalachian Laborers’ District Council. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — A labor organization has donated needed supplies and personal protective equipment to WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center.

The West Virginia and Appalachian Laborers’ District Council donated 20 N95 respirators, nine boxes of latex gloves, six cans of Lysol spray, three boxes of TYVEK suits and two boxes of cleaning pads.

“As important as it is to use PPE in our training classes to simulate health and safety measures, hospital staff and patients have a much greater need for our PPE right now,” said Ross McPherson, administrator of the West Virginia Laborers’ Training Center.

Training classes were suspended at the center over precautions with the COVID-19 coronavirus. The training center is located on Tracewell Road in Mineral Wells.

Health care facilities and providers around the struggling have cited a shortage of the equipment and supplies.

“West Virginia may have fewer COVID-19 cases compared to other states, but that doesn’t mean that our hospitals should operate with fewer supplies,” said Craig Harvey, District Council business manager.

Camden Clark is among 11 hospitals in the WVU Health System.

“We very much appreciate the generosity of the Laborers and many other groups like the Health Sciences Division at WVU Parkersburg, Wood County Technical Center, and Woodcraft whose donations help ensure that our team at Camden Clark remains prepared to manage the COVID-19 outbreak as we work to maintain the health and wellness of the community we serve,” said MarJean Kennedy, vice president of marketing, development and strategic initiatives at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center.

The West Virginia Laborers’ District Council is in communication with the West Virginia University Health System to coordinate delivery of its donation.

“The fight to help our medical community is imperative in defeating COVID-19, and we are welcoming the opportunity to do our part,” said Jessie King, business manager of Laborers’ International Union of North America Local Union 1085.

The Laborers’ International Union of North America Mid-Atlantic Region represents more than 40,000 people predominantly in the construction industry in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, Virginia and North Carolina.