Donate Medical Equipment to Improve Health and Quality of Life: A List of Programs

Worldscopes is a project of the American Medical Association. They collect stethoscopes for distribution to medical schools, clinics and hospitals around the world. Medical professionals can donate new and lightly used stethoscopes. In addition, financial donations are accepted. Just $15 will purchase a stethoscope that will greatly assist physicians and health care workers as they care for their patients.

Perhaps you can organize a stethoscope drive at your hospital, medical school, office practice, or medical society. And remember, your equipment or financial donation may be tax deductible. And here are some other ways to help health care professionals around the world help others:

* MedShare International is "dedicated to recycling surplus medical supplies and equipment for use by health care institutions in developing nations." They can always use financial support to carry out their mission, and if you're in the Atlanta area, consider volunteering with them. It's a fun and productive way to spend a Saturday morning.

* REMEDY, Recovered Medical Equipment for the Developing World, is a "not-for-profit organization dedicated to actively promoting the recovery of unused medical supplies for the purpose of global aid, waste reduction, and cost-effectiveness. We seek to inspire and serve as a catalyst through education, practice and example." They are based in New Haven, CT and could certainly use your contributions of time, money, and/or materials.

If medical reclamation isn't your thing, consider this: It doesn't take much for a person with atypical mobility to be independent, and contribute to society. Often, all it takes is a wheelchair, a walker or a cane. To learn more, read personal stories about the positive difference mobility equipment can make. Here are three ways you can help:

* The Mobility Project accepts donated mobility equipment (including wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and crutches) which they refurbish, and deliver to people all over the world. They also provide "sports programs for the disabled, to help them achieve greater confidence and health as well as ability with their mobility equipment" and they've "established wheelchair repair and refurbishing workshops in some of the countries where we work, [which provide] an opportunity for the disabled people in that area to learn valuable job skills as they work on the chairs." Click here to donate.

* Wheels for Humanity will recycle you donated wheelchair, deliver and personally fit it, at no cost, to children and adults in developing countries. In eight years, they've delivered over 21,000 chairs to people in over 50 countries. They also accept other ambulatory equipment. Click here to get more information and donate.

* The Wheelchair Foundation has donated or committed over 300,000 wheelchairs to people in 129 countries. If you donate $75, they will provide matching funds and deliver a wheelchair to a child, teen or adult without mobility,

Do you have a cane, wheelchair, walker or crutches gathering dust? Put it to work! Help someone increase their mobility and increase their independence. Most contributions are tax-deductible. Donate today!

"We are never more discontented with others than when we are discontented with ourselves." -Henri Frederic Amiel, philosopher and writer (1821-1881)