Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of lab goggles are eligible to be donated?
A: Any! All we request is that your lab goggles have not been used in 30 days, and that you have not been infected with or have had direct contact with a known COVID-19 patient within those 30 days. We are reaching out to college students in particular because we know that you have used high-grade goggles in your lab courses. We prefer that you donate those types of lab goggles, but if you have additional pairs that you would be interested in donating, please send those over as well!
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Q: But my goggles are used. Will healthcare workers still want them?
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A: YES! Our hospital network knows EyeAid is delivering used goggles and have outlined preparation procedures that the EyeAid team will undertake before delivering the goggles to hospitals.
This is one of the benefits of donating through EyeAid: upon reception of your goggles, the EyeAid team will prepare them using a procedure appropriate to the standards of our hospital network. The goggles are additionally sterilized by the receiving hospital upon delivery.
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Q: Why should I donate my goggles to hospitals in Detroit?
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A: Detroit's high burden of COVID-19, compounded with its existing tenuous economic and health infrastructure, has led to an urban public health disaster.
Detroit has the highest percentage of low-income residents of all large cities in the United States. Over one-third of Detroit residents still live below the poverty line. Michigan currently has the third highest number of COVID-19 cases of all states, with the caseload being concentrated in Detroit. Detroit's residents already face some of the nation's highest rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease; co-morbidity of these diseases with COVID-19 has been linked to worse patient outcomes.
Q: Where will my donation be going?
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A: We have a growing network of hospitals in the Detroit-area that will be accepting goggles from EyeAid. These hospitals are some of the busiest in the nation in dealing with high volumes of COVID-19 patients. The first batch of goggle donations will be going to Ascension St. John’s Hospital in Detroit, who have expressed a particular need for protective eye gear.
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EyeAid values accountability. Once you mail in your goggles, you will receive confirmation of its delivery and its progress along our preparation procedure. Finally, you’ll receive a confirmation once your goggles have been delivered, including the hospital they were delivered to and the exact delivery date.
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Q: I want to donate my goggles. What does the process entail?
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A: We’re so happy that you want to donate! All you have to do is fill out the form on our Donate page, wait to be contacted by the EyeAid team, and finally mail out your goggles in an envelope or small box!
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Please head on over to our Donate page and fill out the form. Within 24 hours of submitting the form, a team member will be in contact with you for mailing instructions.
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Q: Where do I mail my donation?
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A: Within 24 hours of submitting the form on our Donate page, you will receive a confirmation with detailed mailing instructions.
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Q: Why should I donate through EyeAid? Can’t I just mail it to a hospital directly?
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A: Used donations are trickier for eventual use in a hospital environment.
​We have worked with our hospital network to ensure that goggles donated through EyeAid are prepared to proper standards. We want your donation to be used by our healthcare workers and our preparation procedures help that happen.
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Q: Does EyeAid get paid to deliver goggles to hospitals?
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A: No. EyeAid does not receive any financial compensation from hospitals in our network. EyeAid’s only mission is to deliver eye protection to those who need it the most.
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Q: I’m a college student and want to help EyeAid expand to my campus. What should I do?
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A: Send us an email expressing your interest to help out with 'Spreading EyeAid to more Campuses' in the subject line. Our email address is eyeaiddetroit@gmail.com
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For more information, check out our Spread the Word page
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For any other questions, please contact us at eyeaiddetroit@gmail.com