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We all know that nurses, doctors, and other health workers don’t have it easy right now. In a bid to show appreciation, people are saying thank you to health services like they never have before. They have stood on their balconies and applauded. They have written letters, donated food, and given money. Brands have stepped up too, offering their products and services for free to those who need it most.
One company has chosen to say thank you to health workers by helping to boost their immune systems in hopes to keep them healthy during the coronavirus outbreak.
Frequently coming into contact with sick people puts health workers in the high-risk category of infection, but staying healthy is hard. Working long shifts and dealing with high volumes of patients can lead to increased levels of tiredness and stress. This can lead to a weakened immune system.
Because of this, Canadian vitamin manufacturer Herbaland has donated nearly 20,000 bottles of its Immune Plus gummies—initially developed to assist with prevention and recovery from cold and flu viruses—to over 50 health institutions in Canada.
Supporting The Immune System
The sugar-free vegan Immune Plus gummies are not a virus-cure or preventative. But, they combine powerful antioxidants. These include zinc, vitamin C, elderberry, and echinacea, to help support the function of a healthy immune system.
According to one Australian study, the immune system battles Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, like it would attack seasonal flu. So it makes good sense to pay particularly close attention to keeping ourselves healthy right now.
Co-author of the study Katherine Kedzierska—a researcher at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity—told Bloomberg: “we showed that even though Covid-19 is caused by a new virus, in an otherwise healthy person, a robust immune response across different cell types was associated with clinical recovery, similar to what we see in influenza.”
‘We Want To Do Our Part’
Herbaland intends to continue to help as many frontline health workers stay healthy as it can.
“Covid-19 has created extreme uncertainty and panic felt all around the world,” say co-founders Musharaf Syed and Aisha Yang. “As a member of the global family, we want to do our part to help our community during these trying times.”
If there’s a silver lining to the pandemic, it’s this sense of community it has inspired. It’s the outpouring of gratitude to those who are working around the clock to save friends and family members the world over.
Brand ambassadors, influencers, suppliers, and customers have offered invaluable support to Herbaland. They have suggested and located hospitals, care homes, and other health-focused organizations to donate to. Maestro also printed more than 10,000 labels for free to go on Herbalands donated bottles.
‘A Big Hit’ Among Health Workers
The love, help, and support hasn’t gone unnoticed. Lorrie Gerrard, the executive director at Kiwanis Care Center in New Westminster, told the brand, “thank you from the bottom of our heart for your generosity and for thinking of us. It is thoughtful people and companies like yours that make things easier during this difficult time.”
Niki Tupper, the general manager at Chartwell Willow Retirement Community, added, “[the Immune Plus gummies] were a big hit and we really appreciate you thinking of us and wanting us to stay healthy.”
If you would like to say thank you to health workers and help Herbaland’s initiative, you can suggest an institution to donate to via email. Get involved and send your suggestion to marketing3@herbaland.ca.
Originally written by Charlotte Pointing
SENIOR EDITOR, UK | SOUTHSEA, UNITED KINGDOM | CONTACTABLE VIA CHARLOTTE@LIVEKINDLY.COM