Reading Hospital Foundation announced today that it received a $6,700 donation from State Farm Agency in support of the "Behind the Mask" social media campaign during National Nurses Week in May. The funds will be divided between the Nursing Excellence fund and to purchase Person Protective Equipment (PPE) for Reading Hospital employees. A total of 21 agents from eastern Pennsylvania donated $3,400 and the State Farm Matching Gift Program added an additional $3,300.
"We are humbled by the generous donation from local State Farm agents," said Cameron Martin, Director of Development, Reading Hospital Foundation. "Our employees are committed to caring for our patients. The wonderful aspect of this gift is that it supports our short-term needs for PPE while also supporting the long-term excellence of nursing at Reading Hospital through the Nursing Excellence fund."
The campaign's momentum was driven by two local State Farm representatives who wanted to support the hospital because they have family members working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Every healthcare professional should have PPE to protect themselves as they fight this pandemic," said Dave DeBoer, State Farm Insurance Companies. "Reading Hospital supported us when our daughter was born there, and we choose to support them now as our daughter completes her residency there."
"It was a perfect fit for Reading Hospital Foundation and a generous group of State Farm Agents in our area to partner," Drew Leck, State Farm Insurance Companies. "The generosity State Farm provides by matching our donations 100% to non-profits such as this was paramount. Given the extenuating circumstances our front-line medical professionals are dealing with I felt like I would be letting someone down if I didn't try to drive some attention around this program. My sister is a nurse at Tower Health, and I know she is proud of what we accomplished in a very short time."
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.