This is people power!
NBA star Bismack Biyombo just donated $1 million worth of medical supplies to aid in the fight against COVID-19 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Black Enterprise reports.
The Bismack Biyombo Foundation donated more than 10,000 masks and 780 hazmat suits to medical officials in the DRSC. Biyombo, a native of The Congo, released a statement about the donation saying, “We have never experienced a crisis of this magnitude. Seeing my home country suffer in this capacity is devastating. I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to figure out a way to help those suffering the DRC. I am pleased to announce [the donation]. Thank you to all of those who are at the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Biyombo’s organization was founded in 2016 and has been working tirelessly to provide access and opportunities for those in under-resourced communities across the globe. In the last couple of years, the DRC has been overwhelmed by several outbreaks including measles, malaria and Ebola, making the residents even more susceptible to contracting the coronavirus.
“The country’s efforts to combat these diseases have completely depleted the healthcare system’s resources – leaving children and families more vulnerable than ever. All of the diseases affecting the DRC are spread through human-to-human contact and are preventable with the proper resources,” Biyombo said.
He hopes that the items he donated can contribute to those resources, helping to flatten the curve in the Congo. And while the 27-year old forward understands that the donation won’t resolve the country’s issue, he hopes that it will help tremendously in slowing the spread of infection.
Thank you for all you’re doing Bismack! You are appreciated.
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