With healthcare organizations fearing a potential shortage of ventilators, a donor recently stepped up to purchase four of the machines for the Cody hospital.

The ventilators purchased by Nick Piazza — a 1996 Cody High School graduate who now leads a business consulting firm in Ukraine — are valued at roughly $14,000 apiece, for a total donation of nearly $50,000.

Cody Regional Health now has 12 ventilators on hand. The machines pump air in and out out the lungs of people who are unable to effectively breathe on their own. They’re in short supply across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as the respiratory disease can, in severe cases, make it difficult to breathe.

While Park County currently has no hospitalizations related to the new coronavirus, Piazza reached out to Cody Regional Health early last week “in an effort to help our hospital and our community in this time of uncertainty,” the organization said in a news release.

“These kind gestures are impacting all of us,” said Annalea Avery, CRH Foundation director. “Our community is one of the most giving and supporting communities that I have ever lived in.”

Avery added that many people in the community are doing what they can to support each other and hospital employees during these unprecedented times.

For instance, a group of sewing enthusiasts recently offered to make additional facemasks for clinical employees.

“Homemade masks could be used as a last resort according to CDC,” said Kyle Paquin, an infection prevention specialist. “Ideally homemade masks should be used in combination with a face shield that covers the mask.”

“Washable fabric masks were once a standard for hospitals, but may be used when other supplies have been exhausted,” Paquin added. “While it’s less than ideal, we want to do our best to protect our staff and patients during this pandemic.”

Collected masks will be immediately sent to laundry/processing to be prepared for use. Any surplus masks will be distributed to other organizations in need, CRH leaders said.