Medical Bridges
Donates medical and surgical supplies and equipment to charitable health care providers in Africa and other developing countries. Every $1 donation results in $20 worth of supplies.More than $9 billion worth of medical supplies are discarded each year in the United States. At the same time, less fortunate countries are in desperate need of medical supplies.
Medical Bridges closes this health care gap by connecting those who have with those who hope. We procure medical and surgical supplies and equipment — crutches, wheelchairs, scalpels, syringes, gloves, antibiotics, beds, exam tables, and more — and deliver them to health care providers in 16 countries in Africa and others in the developing world.
Medical Bridges was started in 1997, when, during a medical mission trip, Dr. Patricia Brock became aware of the overwhelming need for basic medical supplies in developing countries. She also saw the extreme amount of excess in the United States. With a group of concerned doctors and others in Houston, Texas, Dr. Brock established a program to channel reusable medical supplies to countries in need. Since then, Medical Bridges has shipped more than $60 million worth of medical supplies and equipment to 81 countries.
In 2007, Medical Bridges shipped more than $4 million worth of medical supplies to Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Cote d’Ivoire. Children who couldn’t walk now have crutches and wheelchairs. Surgeons who couldn’t operate now have scalpels, syringes, gloves, and antibiotics. Hospitals with patients lying on the floors now have beds and exam tables.
Contact Information
Medical Bridges, Inc.
P.O. Box 300245
Houston, TX 77230
U.S.A.
T: (713) 748-8131
F: (713) 748-0118
E: dorothy.bolettieri@medicalbridges.org
www.medicalbridges.org
Financial Information
Medical Bridges is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization. Click below to view our most recent independent audit and IRS Form 990.
Photo right: Crutches are among the supplies donated by Medical Bridges.
Photo left: Weekly and monthly, Medical Bridges donates and distributes fresh food, medical supplies and vitamins to local communities.
Donate Now to Medical Bridges
With your help, thousands more lives will be touched. Your donation will provide:
- $1 supplies worth $20.
- $50 ten boxes of medical supplies.
- $100 20 boxes of medical supplies.
- $500 the shipment of a palette of medical supplies.
- $1,000 the partial support of a transportation of a full container.
- $5,000 the full cost of freight for a container.
- $12,000 a 40-foot ocean freight container of supplies.
Volunteer Opportunities
Enthusiastic volunteers needed in Houston, TX to help sort, pack, and/or donate medical supplies and equipment. We can accommodate groups up to 25. Physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals are invaluable helping to turn surplus into supplies.
Issue Areas
To donate to this member charity by check, please print our designation form and mail it with your check to
Aid for Africa
P.O. Box 8734
Topeka, KS 66608
CFC number explanation