LUCEA, Hanover — Following the donation of patient care items worth more than $1 million to two facilities in Hanover, philanthropist Myrna Gordon-Radway is already looking ahead at how she can do even more.

On Monday she donated essential items to the Lucea Infirmary. Some of the items were similar to last Friday’s presentation, to the Noel Holmes Hospital, of sheets, spreads, personal protective equipment, sanitisers, sanitary garments for patients, and surgical gowns. It was not quite what she had in mind when she began but she still found the encounter fulfilling.

“I wanted to focus on the kids’ ward, but there isn’t one per se, so I focused on maternity. I hope to get at least one medical recliner for them soon so they can start triaging patients more comfortably,” stated Gordon-Radway.

She is a native of Pell River in Hanover and CEO of Comfort First Homecare — a company she has operated in the US for the past 10 years. She is now mulling the possibility of formalising her philanthropic efforts once she returns to the US.

“I feel like this is just the beginning. I’m happy I can give back at this level. When I get back home, I intend to form a foundation, ‘Friends for the Hospitals’, to help any hospital in need,” stated Gordon-Radway.

It all began when she saw the widespread devastation caused by last October’s Hurricane Melissa.

“I realised there was a need and spoke to the CEO (chief executive officer of the hospital) Princess Wedderburn. She asked if I could donate sheets in addition to spreads,” Gordon-Radway told the Jamaica Observer.

She also explained her reason for supporting the infirmary.

“People at the hospital can sometimes afford care, but at the infirmary they are there because they have no other choice or help. They have a greater need,” stated Gordon-Radway.

“The head of the infirmary mentioned a great need for incontinent products like diapers, pull-ups, and gloves. I took some gloves and food items to them [on Monday],” she added.

Gordon-Radway is not a stranger to community service, having been active during her earlier years living in the community.

“I’ve always given a helping hand. I used to be the president of the Pell River Community Youth Club in Hanover. We worked with USAID (US Agency for International Development) and JSIF (Jamaica Social Investment Fund) to get the basic school and playground constructed,” she explained.

That has helped shape the philanthropic work she is doing now.

On Tuesday, the CEO of the Noel Holmes Hospital spoke about the impact of Friday’s donation.

“They were well-needed items, and I can tell you they will be used to assist in taking care of our patients — especially the maternal ones,” Wedderburn told the Observer.

Noting that the facility is “always in need of bed linens, and sundry items to treat our patients” she said the donation came at an opportune time.

The maternity ward of the more than 200-year-old institution is currently undergoing major renovation following the devastation caused by last year’s Category 5 storm; the zinc roof was destroyed and Government is funding the change to concrete slab. Wedderburn can see a silver lining around the dark clouds the storm brought.

“We got some justice from Melissa, although she was a bad girl,” she quipped.