Front-line heroes: Meet the people fighting COVID-19 in Toronto and share your stories

As the COVID-19pandemic continues to squeeze Ontario's health system, Dr. Gray Moonen has watched proudly as his colleagues have risen tothe occasionbut at the same time, he's seentheir morale fall.

The family medicine resident at the University of Torontosays over the last month, he feels those on the front lineof the crisis haven't been getting nearly as much recognition as they deserved.

So he decided to try to change that.

"Working through this pandemic has honestly been surreal. People are anxious, health-care providers, the public, friends, family, patients," Moonen told CBC Toronto."I wanted to bring a certain level of humanity to this crisis."

Moonenbegan to document the faces and stories of people working in the University Health Network, posting them to his Twitter page.

Inspired by Moonen's effort, CBC Toronto wants to recognize workers on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic, so we're asking you to send us your stories of the GTA's 'Front-line heroes.'

Dr. Moonen contacted CBC Toronto to helpspreadhis message even more widely.

To honour as many front-line staff as possible, we're following Dr. Moonen's lead and recognizingthe GTA's"Front-line Heroes." Whether it's a nurse, a grocery store clerk or a waste collector we want to hear your stories.

If you'd like to tell us about your "Front-line Hero,"write to us explaining whythey're a hero to you, or send a selfie-style videoto torontotips@cbc.ca.Be sure to include a few photos of the person.

We'll continue introducing you tonew faces, just like Moonen has been doing on his Twitterfeed.

WATCH: Dr. Gray Moonenspeaks about who is inspiring him as health-care workers continue to tackle COVID-19.

Front-line Hero: Dr. Gray Moonen

4 years ago

Duration 1:32

Dr. Gray Moonen describes why he wanted to share photos of his colleagues on Twitter amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Front-line hero: Dr. Gray Moonen

Dr. Moonen on top of finding ways to support his colleagues is working at the University Health Network to combat COVID-19.

As the pandemic progresses, he sayshe and his colleagues are being redistributed toward areas of higher need, such as the emergency department, the intensive care unitor COVID-19 clinics.

Although it might sound crazy, he says, there's no place he'd rather be.

"We feel a strong sense of purpose being at work We really feel an obligation to help people, and to be honest, at the end of the day, this is what we signed-up for. To be able to provide care to my fellow Canadians and human-beings is, in this sort of situation, a privilege if anything."

To keep the recognition going, Dr. Moonenshared a story of someone on the front linewho's inspired him: Dr. Jane Philpott.

"I've never met her personally, but she's a family physician and former Canadian health minister."

"She's currently back working on the front lines, helping out, working in the clinics. And she's been a huge advocate for communicating what should go on and what the appropriate response from the government should be she's the sort of person that does the right thing and does not apologize for it, so thanks Dr. Philpott."

To share your own story, you can also tag us on Twitter @CBCToronto, Instagram @CBCToronto or send us a message on Facebook.