Free respirator masks are being donated to chemotherapy patients by a Manx business and cancer charities.

Approved and certified KN95 FFP2 reusable respirator masks have been donated by STS Manx Limited, a company that supplies medical equipment, and delivered by Manx Breast Cancer Support Group and Mannin Cancers.

The masks are offered to those in the middle of a course of chemotherapy or immunotherapy who have to see their doctor for tests or go to hospital for treatment.

Carole Male, vice chairman of MBCSG, said: ’Patients having chemotherapy treatment are often living in seclusion and isolation due to the coronavirus and are extremely nervous when they have to go to the doctors for their blood tests prior to chemo and also again when they visit the hospital for their chemotherapy treatment.

’These high safety masks will give chemo patients safety and a sense of security at these times.’

On top of donating masks, STS Manx is offering a 10% discount to chemotherapy patients and those buying products for chemotherapy patients.

Sean Moffatt, managing director, said: ’It’s absolutely my duty to help people who are vulnerable. I’m a Manxie and I am obligated to help, now I have the means to do so.

’My mother is a nurse of 30-plus years and has worked recently on the covid wards and she has been a huge influence on how I view the world, teaching me to help people who need it most and most of all, to be caring. ’I’m working with local companies to help them donate masks as affordable as possible to keep the pipeline of masks going to the people who need it most.

’Carole and everybody else who is involved in the health care/charity industry deserve the highest praise of all, I’m just doing my little bit.’

Chemotherapy patients can send their requests for a mask by email Diane to [email protected] with their oncology consultant’s name and address to deliver masks.