Pechanga Indian Tribe Donates N95 Masks To 3 RivCo Hospitals

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Three hospitals in western Riverside County were able to replenish their critical stock of N95 masks thanks to a donation from The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians.

Temecula Valley Hospital, Rancho Springs Medical Center and Inland Valley Medical Center each received 1,000 masks for doctors, nurses and other frontline medical staff, said Jacob Mejia, vice president of public affairs for the Pechanga Indian tribe.

"We deeply appreciate the critical work of our frontline medical professionals," Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro said in a statement. "These hospitals serve our Tribe, our Team Members and our community. We're going to do all we can to help get through this pandemic together."

The masks were delivered to the facilities Thursday morning.

"You have no idea, this is like receiving gold, literally," said Darlene Wetton, CEO of Temecula Valley Hospital. "It is so important that we protect our healthcare workers. With the 1,000 masks, this will last us about ten days because we are using about 100 per day."

The Pechanga tribe also donated food to the Temecula Valley Hospital two weeks ago to bolster food supply and increase capacity for nurses, doctors, staff and patients, Mejia said.

—City News Service

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