Support Healthcare Workers in the Fight Against COVID-19 By Donating Unused CPAP Devices

Local dentist holds donation drive April 21-22

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 17, 2020 — Local Board-Certified Dentist, Dr. Kathi Wilson, of the Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ in Cascade, is partnering with local healthcare systems, including Spectrum Health, to recover CPAP machines. A CPAP machine drive will be held April 21-22.

In partnership with Hunter Engineering Company, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, motors from the CPAP machines will be retrofitted into Portable Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) to keep healthcare workers safe from COVID-19. Healthcare workers wear the PAPRs, which filter air before breathing, to eliminate concerns about inhaling any COVID-19 contaminated air. The units are in the final stages of Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.

The fight against COVID-19 has not only put stress on the people and economy of West Michigan, it has strained the supply of personal protective equipment for healthcare providers. PAPRs allow healthcare workers to offset the need for the N95 masks.

“Our partnership with Dr. Wilson puts us in a unique position to come together as a community to aid our front line workers,” said Dr. Kelly Waters, Sleep and Neurology Physician at Spectrum Health. “However, we want to stress that patients only donate their CPAP machines if they’re currently not using them as directed by their physician.”

We Need West Michigan

West Michigan is in a unique position to help this effort. As a region, West Michigan has one of highest CPAP prescription rates in the country. There are several units in circulation that are not currently being used, which could be repurposed for this life-saving application.

West Michigan residents can drop off old or unused CPAP machines on April 21-22 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm each day. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants, contact-less drop off is available.

Check to see if your old or unused CPAP device qualifies for repurposing. Questions regarding qualifying CPAP machines can be directed to sleeptmjcenter@gmail.com.
Place CPAP device in a box/bag, then place it in the trunk of your vehicle.
Drive to the Center for Sleep Apnea and TMJ at 4820 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
Pull up in front of the main doors and open your trunk.
An employee from the Center will remove the CPAP machine, place in a goodie bag filled with restaurant coupons and other surprises, then shut the door for you.

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CONTACT:

Kathi Wilson
kathidds@yahoo.com
(616) 780-3201

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