Board members and volunteers of the Agency for Better Living Endeavors (A.B.L.E.) today donated at least 300 washable masks and two dozen washable gowns to Dr.Reese Tuatoo of the Medical Staff and Mrs. Sima Tuatoo, Nursing Director at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center.
A.B.L.E. Chairwoman Kimberly Lutu-Fuiava said, “In this time filled with uncertainty and fear throughout the world, we must all do our part to help our community survive and continue to move forward. While we maintain our faith, we recognize the critical role of our medical professionals and first responders; it is essential that we make sure that they are also all protected and safe from any diseases that they encounter.”
Lutu Fuiava is herself a medical student and is well aware of the many needs of our local hospital.
“Nationally, our federal government and many private industries are working together to find solutions to this COVID-19 pandemic,” shared Board member Elinor Lutu-McMoore who coordinated this effort.
”WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER, and we can also help as private citizens, so we immediately arranged to have the seamstresses and tailors from the personal businesses of A.B.L.E. board members Sandra Lutu (Siva Maia Sewing Shop) and Christinna Lutu-Sanchez (Lalelei) to make high quality washable masks from elei cotton material and washable gowns.”
The design was based on existing patterns of gowns used by the hospital medical staff.
Mrs. Simamao Tuatoo, Director of Nursing and Vice-Chief of Medical Staff Dr. Tuatoo Seakerise Tuatoo, received the donated items with gratitude and expressed their appreciation on behalf of the LBJ Board and staff.
Mrs. Tuatoo added that the donated items will be used primarily for the designated isolation unit to treat any patients that might have symptoms of the COVID-19 virus or related illnesses. 
“We are very grateful for the opportunity to support our Healthcare Providers, and we encourage our island-community to not only maintain our faith and prayers for world healing but also to obey the current restrictions to stay home and maintain social distancing as this will not only protect ourselves and our families but it will help our first responders and healthcare professionals with their work in caring for the sick”, concluded A.B.L.E. Chair Kimberly Lutu-Fuiava.
Acknowledging that today was National Doctors Day, ABLE wishes all doctors a happy Doctors Day.
