Washington State Registered Nurses Experience Wildfire Tragedy First-Hand

As wildfires continue to rage across the Spokane area, destroying homes and displacing members of our community, we found ourselves asking how we could help. The WSNA Officers at UW Montlake have voted to donate $10,000 in local unit funds to the Washington State Nurses Foundation to support nurses affected in Spokane.

At least 80 nurses have been evacuated, and 7 have lost their homes entirely. We believe this is the fastest, most direct way to offer material support to our fellow nurses, the kind of support we'd hope for if we were ever in their position. It's in our nature as nurses to help. This sum won't rebuild a home, but it can offer real relief and breathing room to nurses in need.

We offer these funds on your behalf, in solidarity. Tragedy doesn't mean nurses get to stop working. This assistance will help affected nurses hold themselves and their families together and in turn, help their communities by allowing them to stay focused on delivering high-quality patient care.

Other WSNA local bargaining units, from other hospitals around Washington, are donating to this effort as well.  Together, we are making a difference!

If you are interested in offering individual donations to fellow WA state RNs in need, please follow the link below:

https://www.wanursesfoundation.org/needbased-assistance

In solidarity,
Your WSNA Local Unit Officers
Mark Beaumont, Chair
Josh Villegas, Vice Chair
Madison Schumaker, Secretary/Treasurer
Isaiah Squires, Grievance Officer
Janet O. Bower, Grievance Officer
Sarah White, Grievance Officer
Rae Davis, Membership Officer

Questions? Contact one of your officers or WSNA Nurse Representative Ed Zercher, ezercher@wsna.org.