Sask medical groups, La Loche launch GoFundMe for supplies

The Saskatchewan Medical Association, Student Medical Society of Saskatchewan and La Loche are working together to get more supplies to the northern community.

Currently, La Loche is dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19.

Numbers released on Friday showed 148 of the province’s 203 active cases are in the far north region, which includes La Loche.

A GoFundMe campaign started this week is asking for donations to help provide activities, cleaning supplies, hygiene items and non-perishable food.

“We have been working in coordination with the mayor of La Loche as well as some of their members who are closely tied to the community,” third-year medical student at the U of S Kate Morrison said. “It’s helped us develop a list (of needs).”

Working so closely with the community means the list can be updated day-to-day to reflect what people need.

“Lots of stuff to keep the kids really busy and happy at home and then we’ve got sort of your sick day items…whether it’s tea or cough drops,” she explained.

The deadline to donate is May 12 then items will be sent to La Loche on the 15th or 16th.

With the quick turnaround, there’s no time to spare.

“As we have funds come in we know how much we can spend so we have volunteers out shopping,” Morrison said.

Because of the pandemic, third-year medical students like Morrison aren’t in class or hospitals while first and second-year students are finishing exams. It means there’s a healthy pool of volunteers to draw from

“People are, I think, just sitting eager ready to help in any way they can,” she said.

They’ve been able to secure warehouse space and are working with a trucking company that takes regular deliveries to La Loche, according to Morrison.