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What do you do with crutches you no longer need? Or diabetic supplies? Returning them is not an option and simply throwing unused supplies away is wasteful and will let them go into landfills.
The ideal solution is to get the medical supplies that you no longer need to people who can use them because they are poor or have little or no access to medical care. Many organizations will take no-longer-needed, or even better, never used medical equipment and supplies from hospitals, doctors, and dentists but not all take donations from individuals.
We searched for nonprofits that will take donations from individual donors and listed seven below. Small donations can often go to local nonprofits like Goodwill or homeless shelters, so please check with the local agencies in your communities who may be able to pick-up donations or have convenient drop-off locations.
If you are using one of the medical nonprofits listed below, contact the organization to find out what they can accept and how to best get the donation to them.
1. Med-Eq (USA)
This US organization matches donated materials to charitable organizations in the US for distribution. Go to the individuals and families donation page and enter information about your location, your donation and if it can be mailed or must be picked up. The selected Med-Eq approved charity will contact you about the details. You can receive a tax deduction receipt from the end user organization you are matched with.
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2. Hospice of Hope (UK)
This British charity sends donated medical supplies to Romania, Moldova, and Albania. Hospice of Hope is specifically looking for wigs, walking aids, and wheelchairs at this time but other donations are accepted. You can leave the donation at one of their shops or they can be mailed.
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3. 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, clinics and community health centers in developing countries. They also send C.U.R.E. Kits that are suitcase-sized, pre-packed kits of basic medical supplies that can be easily transported and checked as luggage on your next trip to a community in need abroad. There are six large distribution centers across the US where they receive and ship the medical equipment from. You can receive a tax deduction receipt from this organization.
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4. Yad Sarah (Israel)
Yad Sarah is a medical equipment lending organization in Israel that helps the chronically ill, infirm, and terminally ill to live at home. In addition, anyone who needs anything from cribs for newborns to hospital beds can come and borrow the equipment. They charge no fees to use their medical equipment, with people only having to leave a small deposit. There are over 100 branches across the country. This service is available for tourists too. Medical donations are accepted ONLY at any branch in Israel.
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5. Not Just Tourists (Canada)
This Canadian nonprofit says take a suitcase with you and save a life. Suitcases full of medical supplies are sent with travelers to village clinics in remote areas worldwide. The supplies they send are typically gauze, bandages, masks, gloves, antiseptics, IV kits, and birthing kits. There is a process, where the donated supplies and donated suitcases are packed in Toronto and delivered, that must be followed.
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6. Medshare (US)
Medshare is a US humanitarian aid organization that sources surplus essential medical equipment and supplies to medical facilities. Medical collections go to Medical Mission Team, and Worldwide Healing Hands to help the quality of care for women and children in Uganda, Hatti, Chad, and Nepal. They partner with the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia with a maternal and child health program, and disaster relief. People with surplus medical goods must fill out the form on the website. You can receive a tax deduction receipt from this organization.
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7. Jacobs Well Appeal (UK)
This UK medical charity sends medical equipment and supplies to hospitals in the developing world. The donations in the last two years have gone to Ghana, Burkina Faso, Philippines, Romania, Moldova, and to help Syrian refugees. Please check the website for more information about donations.
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