Club plans press conference to launch program to provide meals for Howard University Hospital staff, Sept. 24, 1 p.m.
The National Press Club plans to hold a news conference at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, to launch Help The Heroes, a program designed to support frontline medical workers at Howard University Hospital by providing timely and convenient food assistance at the end of their shift.
The news conference is expected be held in the NPC's Holeman Lounge. To attend the press conference in person please contact Lindsay Underwood at [email protected] This event also will be streamed live on the Club's website and YouTube Channel.
Speakers include:
- Anita L.A. Jenkins, Howard University Hospital chief executive
- Michael Freedman, National Press Club president
- Ed Lewis, director of public policy communications at Toyota
"This program is designed to help support the most valuable and vulnerable resource in the hospital – its staff," NPC President Michael Freedman said. "The National Press Club sought to establish a program that could provide real and tangible support to the heroes who are fighting COVID-19 in an historic hospital in our community. We are honored to help support Howard University Hospital."
"The National Press Club continues to play a pivotal role in the fight against COVID-19 by supporting frontline healthcare workers through great initiatives like their Help the Heroes program," said Anita L.A. Jenkins, chief executive of Howard University Hospital. "The fight to defeat COVID is a community-wide effort and your ongoing donations in the form of nutritious meals have positively impacted our staff members who have to contend with this virus on a daily basis. On behalf of the Howard University Hospital community, I want to thank the National Press Club and its many sponsors for your gratitude and continued support of this program."
Hospitals are preparing for a nightmare scenario this fall when flu patients and COVID-19 patients may swamp hospital wards, according to a recent article in The Washington Post,. There is appropriate concern that this will exhaust the staff. "I worry the most about the ability of the workforce to step into the ring again. Adrenaline can only take you so far," said Dr. Brandan Carr of Mount Sinai Hospital.
Help The Heroes is funded by donations from corporations, foundations and non-profits. Prior to the formal launch, the Club has raised money from members and clients – some of whom are slated to speak at the news conference. Donations for Help The Heroes go to the National Press Club Journalism Institute, the Club's affiliated 501c-3. Donations can be made online.