Distribution of Additional 1,500 COVID-19 Kits Helps Address Recent Virus Spike
Kits distributed to Macon County residents who test positive for COVID-19
The memory of a young Covid-19 victim lives on through an ongoing effort to provide free Covid-19 Care Kits to Macon County residents who test positive for the disease.
In response to the January spike in COVID-19 positive cases in Macon County, and in memory of the late Dani Rubin Kater, The Community Foundation of Macon County acquired 1,500 additional kits.
The kits will be distributed to patients at Decatur’s Crossing Healthcare and the emergency centers at Decatur Memorial Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. A total of 3,650 kits have been distributed to date.
Dani was only 30 when she died of COVID-19 complications on Nov. 3, 2020. She had no pre-existing health conditions. Her health had been deteriorating after testing positive for the disease, but it was not until she used a pulse oximeter that she discovered her oxygen level was only 60 percent, alarmingly low. She was immediately admitted to intensive care and put on a ventilator but passed away less than 24 hours later.
Shortly after Dani’s death, her parents and husband – Bob and Tina Rubin and Tim Kater – dedicated themselves to saving lives from COVID-19 by creating the Dani Rubin Kate Memorial Fund for COVID Care to help provide free care kits.
“We are saddened that the kits are still necessary, but thankful they are making a difference,” says Tina Rubin, noting that the family was heartened by personally hearing from a grateful recipient how the kit had helped that individual.
“We are confident there have been other successful outcomes as a result of distributing the kits and would love to hear about them, especially if using the pulse oximeter made a difference for a patient.”
“In the midst of overwhelming personal tragedy, these three individuals decided to turn their grief into actions to help save the lives of other individuals diagnosed with this disease,” says Natalie Beck, president of The Community Foundation.
“These kits not only honor Dani’s memory, but they give Macon County patients vital information and devices for successfully practicing self-care at home and seeking medical attention if needed.”
Each kit includes:
- Pulse oximeter
- Digital oral thermometer and log
- Two three-ply masks
- Pill organizer
- CDC-approved surface cleaner
- Symptom checker
- Educational and reference materials
Contributions to support the Dani Rubin Kater Memorial Fund for COVID Care may be sent to The Community Foundation of Macon County, 101 South Main, Suite 400, Decatur IL 62523 or made online through the link below.
