What should you do with crutches you no longer want? Returning them is not an option and just throwing fresh supplies away is inefficient and will let them go into landfills.
The perfect solution is to acquire the medical supplies which you no longer need to individuals who can use them because they're poor or have little if any access to medical care. Many associations will take no-longer-needed, or even better, not used free durable medical equipment and supplies out of hospitals, physicians, and dentists although maybe not all take donations from individuals.
We hunted for nonprofits that can take donations from donors and recorded seven below. Small donations can often go to local nonprofits such as Goodwill or homeless shelters, so please consult the local bureaus in your communities who may be in a position to pick-up donations or have handy drop-off locations.
Organizations that provides free durable medical equipment
If you're using one of the healthcare nonprofits listed below, contact the company to find out what they are able to accept and how to best get the donation to them.
- Med-Eq (USA)
This US organization matches donated materials to charitable organizations in the US for distribution. Go to the people and households contribution page and enter details regarding your place, your contribution and if it can be sent or must be picked up. The chosen Med-Eq approved charity will contact you in regards to the details. You are able to receive a tax deduction receipt from the end-user organization you're matched with.
- Hospice of Hope (UK)
This British charity sends donated free durable medical equipment to Romania, Moldova, and Albania. Hospice of Hope is especially searching for wigs, walking aids, and wheelchairs now but other donations are accepted. It's possible to leave the contribution at one of their shops or they can be mailed.
- Project C.U.R.E. (USA)
Project C.U.R.E.'s Cargo program delivers semi-trailer-sized cargo containers carrying medical donations to under-resourced hospitals, hospitals, and neighborhood health centers in developing nations. In addition, they send C.U.R.E. Kits which are suitcase-sized, pre-packed kits of basic medical supplies which will be readily transported and checked as luggage on the next excursion to a neighborhood in need overseas. There are six big distribution facilities across the US where they receive and ship the free durable medical equipment from. You can be given a tax deduction receipt from the organization.
- Yad Sarah (Israel)
Yad Sarah is a free durable medical equipment financing firm in Israel that assists the chronically ill, infirm, and terminally sick to live at home. In addition, anyone who desires anything from cribs for newborns to free hospital beds for elderly can come and borrow the equipment. They charge no fees to use their health care gear, with individuals only needing to leave a small deposit. You will find over 100 branches across the country. This service is available for tourists also. Medical contributions are accepted ONLY in any branch in Israel.
- Not Just Tourists (Canada)
This Canadian nonprofit says take a bag with you and save a life. Suitcases full of free durable medical equipment are sent with travelers into village clinics in remote areas worldwide. The supplies they send are typically gauze, bandages, masks, gloves, antiseptics, IV kits, and birthing kits. There's a process, where the donated supplies and donated suitcases are packaged in Toronto and delivered, which should be followed.
- Medshare (US)
Medshare is a US humanitarian aid organization that resources excess essential medical supplies and equipment to medical facilities. Medical selections go to Medical Mission Team, and Worldwide Healing Hands to help the quality of care for all women and children from Uganda, Hatti, Chad, and Nepal. They partner with the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia using a maternal and child health program or free hospital beds for elderly, and disaster relief. Individuals with excess medical goods must complete the form on the website. You can receive a tax deduction receipt from the business.
- Jacobs Well Appeal (UK)
This UK medical charity sends free durable medical equipment and supplies to hospitals in the developing world. The donations in the past two years have gone to Ghana, Burkina Faso, Philippines, Romania, Moldova, and also to assist Syrian refugees. Please check the web site for more information about donations.