Industry Marshals Aid for Haiti

ATLANTA — Invacare, the nation’s largest home medical
equipment manufacturer, is donating $105,000 in medical equipment
to aid Haitians after last week’s devastating earthquake and a
continuing series of aftershocks, the most violent so far on Jan.
20.

The Elyria, Ohio-based company is partnering with MedWish to
send 400 walkers, 100 mattresses, 250 canes, 640 pairs of crutches,
250 rollators, 175 Invacare Veranda wheelchairs and numerous
hospital airs and supplies to the devastated country.

“In light of this terrible tragedy, Invacare is working with
MedWish to coordinate the donation of supplies to the relief
effort,” said Invacare Chairman and CEO Mal Mixon.

MedWish International will be providing assistance to Haiti,
including shipping supplies, for several months, officials
said.

Various other state and HME associations across the country are
adding to the relief effort, with calls out to members to donate a
range of equipment and supplies.

The Jersey Association of Medical Equipment Services is asking
for donations of mobility equipment, gauze, bandages and IV
supplies by Friday. The organization is working with the Coalition
for Haitian American Empowerment of Monmouth and Ocean Counties,
which will coordinate delivery. For information, see the JAMES Web
site at www.jamesofnj.org.

The Florida Alliance of Home Care Services and the Accredited
Medical Equipment Providers of America are working with medical
missions and other non-profit entities, including the Archdiocese
of Miami, to learn what is needed and to distribute the equipment,
said Sean Schwinghammer, FAHCS executive director.

Current needs include bandages, antiseptic, cardiac monitors,
respirators, surgical equipment, masks, gloves and pain medication.
In an appeal to manufacturers and Florida providers, the
associations are also asking for working PAP devices, canes,
commodes, hospital beds, oxygen concentrators, suction machines,
walkers and wheelchairs.

The major staging area for equipment is at Miami’s Homestead Air
Force Reserve Base, Schwinghammer said. To gather donations, the
groups are setting up several collection points in South Florida,
and Reef Management Group is allowing the use of a 1,600-sq. ft.
warehouse in North Miami Beach to house the equipment.

“We know that everyone has wheelchairs and walkers, hospital
beds and commodes, even oxygen concentrators, that work fine, but
because of their looks and the availability of the latest
technology, you will never release them to the American public
again. Please forward those types of working items and other
medically related supplies for use in Haiti,” the appeal said.

“If you forward the needed supplies to us, we will make sure it
gets where it is needed,” said Schwinghammer.

For information on the FAHCS-AMEPA effort, call
866/993-2427.