Knix a Toronto-based startup that develops intimates for women, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the startup purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19.
Knix’s aim is to collect donations so it can order and distribute PPE items as soon as possible.
The startup is looking to donate N95 masks, surgical gowns, gloves, and doctor and nurse kits from its own suppliers. Knix’s aim is to collect donations so it can order and distribute PPE items as soon as possible, while government initiatives for healthcare workers are still being rolled out.
“Last week, my brother Chris, who is a doctor at a major Canadian hospital, reached out asking if Knix could help get access to PPE as his hospital was likely going to run out,” said Joanna Griffiths, founder and CEO of Knix. “We immediately started contacting our suppliers to see if they could help us, and the answer was yes.”
Griffiths said the e-commerce startup is in touch with government agencies, noting that although providing equipment to healthcare workers appears to be a top priority for the government, she fears it may take too long to find new supply chain partners.
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A $10 donation to Knix’s campaign will go to five N95 masks, $20 will go to 10 N95 masks, $50 will be used to donate 35 surgical gowns, $100 will go toward 500 pairs of surgical gloves, and $250 will cover a doctor or nurse kit, which contains enough gloves, masks and gowns needed for one hospital nurse or doctor for seven days.
As of Friday afternoon, the campaign has raised more than $85,000 of its $125,000 target. The campaign includes a private form to track requests for supplies so that Knix can match products with those who need them. Knix said it will subsidize the transportation costs to receive and distribute the items to hospitals, clinics, and other facilities with frontline workers that need this equipment.
Knix isn’t the only Canadian company to spring into action to provide equipment. Hockey equipment manufacturer Bauer received government authorization to produce protective gear for healthcare workers, and Kitchener-based educational toy manufacturer INKSmith is now creating PPE to help fight the outbreak.