Nurse Dorota Zanoni at the PACU/OR workgroup bake sale.
This spring, the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit/Operating Room (PACU/OR) workgroup raised more than $6,500 to support Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Nurse Dorota Zanoni, who serves as chair of the workgroup, was inspired to collect donations after hearing about her family members’ efforts to support refugees in her hometown. Born and raised in Poland, Zanoni keeps in contact with her siblings and nieces, who altogether have provided housing for more than 60 individuals from Ukraine. While Zanoni and her family in the United States contributed funds for food and clothes, she wanted to do even more to support the refugees.
“To see so much suffering really hit my heart,” said Zanoni. “At our PACU/OR workgroup meeting, I mentioned starting a hospital-wide fundraiser, and everyone jumped on board and wanted to help right away.”
Through posters and word-of-mouth, the PAH community, and Zanoni’s neighbors, donated to the Ukraine fund. They concluded the fundraiser with a bake sale that consisted of assorted cookies and cupcakes decorated with the Ukraine flag, created by the PACU and OR nurses, and pizzelles baked by Zanoni’s family. While the bake sale was a “pay what you can” model, Zanoni recalls collecting nearly $2,000 within the first hour.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Zanoni. “Everyone was so open and willing to give what they could. It was empowering to see so many good people supporting this cause.”
All donations will be sent to an orphanage in Poland that has provided housing for Ukrainian children. The donations will help cover their medical needs and supply activities and toys.
Said Zanoni, “I hope we are able to give the children some happiness and put smiles on their faces.”