Updated May 11, 2015.

Although the American health care delivery system is not perfect, nor inexpensive, one strength it does have is that it is rarely short on medical supplies. Not so in the majority of countries in the world.

Non-profit organizations in the United States work daily to diminish that inequality by collecting, shipping, and distributing surplus medical supplies and equipment from America to other countries in need.

The need could be a massive disease epidemic, such as the Ebola outbreak in Liberia, which has killed 5,000 Liberians in a year, or it could be a natural disaster such as the recent earthquakes in Haiti and later Nepal, where millions have had their lives turned upside down. No running water, no shelter, no access to medical care are the major issues that change overnight when a natural disaster strikes. Recovering the bodies, both wounded and dead, and restoring proper sanitation to minimize disease from spreading, seem to be overwhelming tasks that require an army of healthy people, "the lucky ones", to provide emergency relief effort and health care.

How To Help

One of the largest organizations in America that provides medical relief to countries in need is Project C.U.R.E. (The acronym "C.U.R.E." stands for Commission on Urgent Relief and Equipment.) 

Project C.U.R.E. was founded in 1987 by Dr. James Jackson, and its international headquarters is in Centennial, Colorado. Over the years since, it has collected and shipped medical supplies to more than 130 countries.

Project C.U.R.E. now has multiple offices and delivery stations for people, hospitals, and manufacturers to donate their medical supplies and equipment for shipment overseas.

The organization has Distribution Centers in Chicago, IL, Denver, CO, Houston, TX, Nashville, TN, and Phoenix, AZ. Its Collection Centers are located in Albuquerque, NM, Cortland, NY, Glenwood Springs, CO, Grand Junction, CO, Harrisburg, PA, Kansas City, MO, Kentwood, MI, Rolla / Jefferson City, MO, Sarasota, FL, Wilsonville, OR.

You can even volunteer to start your own center by e-mailing procure@projectcure.org.

What Types of Medical Supplies and Equipment Does Project C.U.R.E. Collect?

Project C.U.R.E. can collect, sort, and ship supplies and equipment for specific needs for specific regions as needed, but in general, here is a partial list of the categories of medical supplies they need: (See the full list of general need items here.)

•     Absorbent Towel
•     Ace Bandages/Cast Padding
•     Anesthesia Circuit Sets
•     Anesthesia Supplies-Airways, Masks, Tubes
•     Asepto syringes
•     Basins
•     Biopsy, Epidural/Spinal Needles and Kits
•     Burn Dressing
•     Caps, Hats, and Shoe Covers
•     Cast Padding
•     Cautery Pads, Tips, Cords And Pencil
•     Chest Tubes and Drainage Units
•     Cone Splash Shield
•     Culture Tubes and Swabs
•     Disposable Vascular Clip
•     Drains, Surgical, Penrose, Jackson Pratt
•     Dressings: Absorbent, Telfa, Steristrips
•     Electrosurgical Dispersive Electrode
•     Endotracheal Tube
•     Extremity Sheet
•     Femoral Irrigation and Suction Tip Set
•     Foley and Red Rubber Catheters
•     Gauze (Iodoform and Vaseline)
•     Gloves (Non-sterile, Sterile)
•     Gowns and Drapes all kinds (Sterile)
•     Heel Protector
•     Hemo Clip
•     Hemovac
•     Intestinal Sucker
•     IV Sets
•     Knife Handles- Disposable
•     Lap Set (18X18 and 4X18)
•     Masks, Surgical
•     Mucus Trap
•     Nasal and Gastric Lavage Tubes and Kits
•     Needles and Syringes all kinds
•     Open Sponge
•     Open Sta-tite
•     Paper Towel
•     Prep Solution Pack
•     Lap Sponges

Equipment Needs
•     Anesthesia Machine/ Vaporizer
•     Autoclaves, Large & Small
•     Blood Warmer
•     Chemistry & Blood Analyzers
•     Complete Endoscopy, Laparoscopy, Arthroscopy Towers
•     Defibrillator, Internal/External
•     Electrocautery Unit, Bi-polar,Hyfrecator
•     Head Lamp
•     Infant Incubators & Warmers
•     Kick Bucket with Stand
•     Laryngoscopes and Blades
•     Lights Operating Room, Portable & Standard
•     Lights, Exam
•     Mayo Stands/IV Stands
•     Microscope, Surgical
•     Monitors—Patient, ICU, Surgical
•     Portable X-ray Units
•     Prep Tables/Back Tables
•     Pump, Alternating Pressure
•     Sterilizer, Gas
•     Suction Machine (All Types)
•     Surgical Instruments (All Types)
•     Table Parts/Armboards, Stirrups and Holders
•     Ultrasounds