If successful, Yates is planning to expand the idea to other hospitals, helping more families in need. Family and friends have been dropping them off at Michael’s long-time business, a car dealership in Goodyear. They have collected around 25 iPads so far and hoping for many more.

'He would love this idea, helping other people and trying to make the situation better,” says Yates. It’s only fitting the family would do this in his honor. Yates says her father has always been a philanthropist, on the board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Phoenix Children’s for many years. If you could spend as much time as you want on that call, how nice would it be,” says Yates. It’s painful when you don't, you're not there and you just get one call a day. 'I thought what an easy way to help alleviate a family's pain. Yates is collecting iPads, hoping to get one into every room of the ICU. She is hoping to not just help her family but many others. In that moment, Yates felt that she could turn her struggle into a solution. So, the iPad kind of helps alleviate some of the pain the family is going through,” says Yates. They are doing everything they can to make that normal but it will never be the same. 'The nurses are doing a fabulous job trying to be there for the family they're basically the family replacement right now. She says there is even a waitlist for families which in some cases, is the only means of communication with their loved ones.

In speaking with nurses, Yates says she learned the ICU only had a few iPads available. It's actually the most difficult thing I think I've ever gone through,” says Yates. You can't call them, you can't hear their voice, so it's difficult. The hardest part she says is not being by his side. Whitney Yates says her father Michael has been fighting COVID-19 at Banner Thunderbird in Glendale since January 6. A Valley woman has decided to help in the effort, after seeing first-hand the impact COVID-19 has had. GLENDALE, AZ - Hospitals more than ever are trying to help families stay connected with their loved ones but, that is not always feasible.

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