Curated care packages for those who care for us: over 13,000 Ontario nurses to be surprised at their doorsteps for Nursing Week (May 11-17)

Coalition of companies join Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario in rallying Ontarians to demonstrate gratitude for nurses on social media using the hashtag: #ThankYouNurses

TORONTO, May 11, 2020 /CNW/ - The Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN) commissioned a provincial study recently with Angus Reid that measured public sentiment about nurses. It found that more than half of Ontarians had intended to send a special thanks to a nurse for the great care they had received in the past ? but they never got the chance to do it.

This week, Ontarians will have their chance.

A coalition of companies, including CeraVe, Penguin Random House Canada, Tetley Tea, UPS, Well.ca, WINNERS, HomeSense and Marshalls are helping WeRPN surprise its over 13,000 registered practical nurse members with specially curated care packages for Nursing Week (May 11-17, 2020). They are also encouraging Ontarians to join in, with messages of thanks on social media through posts, pictures and videos, using the hashtag #ThankYouNurses. The goal is to celebrate Ontario's dedicated nurses for the incredible work they do to keep us all safe. 

The International Council of Nurses and World Health Organization declared 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife in honour of the 200^th birthday of nursing icon, Florence Nightingale, who discovered that handwashing is a critical tool in combating illness - a discovery that is more relevant today than ever. Amidst recent events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the burden nurses face is greater than ever, making it the perfect time to give thanks and show gratitude.

"Nurses often care for us during life's most difficult times, and we're encouraging Ontarians to send love back to them when they need it most," said Dianne Martin, CEO, Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN). "Many nurses' current COVID-19 reality is such that they are working extremely long hours, playing an integral role alongside so many others, at the frontline of healthcare during the pandemic.  I know this initiative will mean the world to our family of nurses, and we can't wait to surprise them with these packages." 

The surprise care packages will include:

• The critically acclaimed book, The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (sequel to The Handmaid's Tale), courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada
• A soothing selection of teas by Tetley Tea
• Restorative CeraVe skincare products from L'Oreal
• Delicious MadeGood granola snacks from Well.ca
• Premium chocolates and confectionary products from Winners, HomeSense and Marshalls
• All of which will be delivered directly to RPN members by UPS

Other participating companies include Baird MacGregor, Johnson Insurance, Optimus SBR, Sensyst and Speakers Bureau of Canada.

The combined value of these corporate donations is greater than $1.1 million. This coalition of brands have also participated in a video that speaks to the impact that nurses have on all of us, and the meaning behind the initiative.

Kicking off the #ThankYouNurses social media initiative during Nursing Week, Canadian music icons, Sam Roberts Band, lent their song "We're All In This Together" to WeRPN for the creation of a special video tribute dedicated to nurses, as they continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadians are encouraged to post pictures, videos or simple words of thanks to let nurses know just how much they are appreciated.

"I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to all of these wonderful companies, and their leaders, for working so hard to coordinate this incredible initiative," adds Martin. "We've always known that it takes a special kind of person to be a nurse and every thank you message from Canadians online this week will fuel our nurses even more, to continue their important work of taking care of us."

About WeRPN
The Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN) is the professional voice of Ontario's 45,000 Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs). WeRPN builds the profile and professional capacity of RPNS so we can better care for our patients and better support our fellow health-care workers.

SOURCE Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN)