Have you ever felt that defining moment when you know you are in the right place at the right time? I know it doesn’t happen for me often, so when it does, I can recognize the feeling right to the core of my being. That feeling came to me when I went to Houston a few weeks back to deliver all the ostomy supply donations I had collected into the hands of Project C.U.R.E.
The past weeks have been very difficult for me–I lost my Grandma, and my daddy left immediately for Pakistan; my mom and I were in Texas alone to handle life here. Besides that, I have been undergoing more testing and had to undergo another abdominal cat scan (with barium) to see why I continue to have issues, and doctors have concluded that my disease has moved into my bones and joints–so this blog is long overdue, but there has been a lot of emotional upheaval preventing me from writing. However, I had made an appointment long back to make this delivery of our supplies so the course was set, and although the nearly 5 hour drive to Houston was going to be a long one, my mom and I decided rather than postpone the appointment, we would just follow through. I am so thankful we did.
On the road
The night before we left, I felt so tired and lazy, but a friend called me, and she had a donation to add. We planned to meet so I could pick-up these additional supplies. A large supply of dialysis supplies were added to our donation from a family who lost someone to kidney failure. For some reason, this donation impacted me so much. Maybe it was the generosity of the donor to think of us at this time, coupled with their loss, and the feeling of hurt that I am feeling in my own life. In any case, it was such an amazing donation.
We woke up early to head out to Houston, packed the back of the truck with all the boxes–full to capacity; we left before 6:30 a.m. to head to Project C.U.R.E. The drive was uneventful, quiet and contemplative. While we listened to music the entire way, we thought about what to expect when we arrived to the facility. What happened was completely unexpected. When we drove up, the very first thing I saw in the window is the flag of Pakistan. I don’t think there could have been a more prominent sign for me than that. I felt my Grandma smiling down on me. It was as if I was supposed to be there at that moment, at that time, doing exactly what I was doing. I know it may seem insignificant to some, but to me this was a sign, and suddenly my spirits were lifted.
The Pakistan Flag
Philanthropy in action
Upon entering we were quickly greeted by the director Sandra, and we instantly connected and felt very welcome as she took us on a tour of the facility. We walked through the entire warehouse as she told us the story behind Project C.U.R.E. and how they operate. The Houston site sends out three to four 40-foot containers of medical supplies per month. They are volunteer-driven, having approximately 20 regular volunteers plus a variety of groups that come in to help each month bringing their volunteer number up to 200. They have bio-med engineers who aid in examining the donated electric machine equipment–ultrasounds, baby warmers, x-rays, etc.–to make sure all items are in good working order before being sent abroad. If they are not working, the item is disassembled; good parts are saved and used for non-working items so they can reassemble to make them viable for use. Nothing is wasted here. It was an awesome thing to see the amount of work and effort that is put into keeping things running in such an organized fashion. Each person or team does its part.
Bio-Med Engineer Work Station
Baby Warmers
Next, she showed us an area of surgical equipment that was organized into categories and bins. Each month the Association of Operating Room Nurses comes in to assess the surgical supplies and organize them. Each item donated has to go through assessment. There are different electrical requirements as well and when a country requests items, the facility has to determine if the item can even be used based on the ability to run the machinery in that particular country.
Surgical Equipment Assessment
From our hands into theirs
When a container is shipped, the items arrive to the country with no additional taxes or tariffs tacked on to it. The items get into the hands of those that need them. Project C.U.R.E. works with the health minister of the recipient country to ensure supplies arrive at the hospital or clinic in need. An average container can value up to $400,000.
The items are carefully and methodically packed to ensure safe shipping. Each box is labeled with specific inventory. Each step of this process makes the operation run smooth. Boxes and supplies are loaded onto the container with the help of volunteers. Hospital beds, when needed, are also sent. When a bed arrives as a donation, if the mattress is soiled and unusable, the padding can still be used for packing material. The resourcefulness of this facility was incredible!
Donated Hospital Beds
Project C.U.R.E. also organizes special requests for countries by working with the proper contacts to ensure that items are able to be sent directly to them. For example, I was contacted by a hospital in Egypt: by informing Project C.U.R.E. and providing them the contact information, they would be able to facilitate a shipment of the requested supplies to the hospital in need. That was nice to know since I often do receive requests asking for our ostomy supplies to be sent abroad to specific countries in dire need.
The warehouse that holds all the supplies before they go out for shipment. AMAZING!
I asked Sandra about ostomy supplies specifically since that is our donation drive focus, and she responded that it is a common request for ostomy supplies from developing countries. I was thankful that our supplies will go to helping other ostomates across the globe. Supplies are sent to areas ravaged by war, field hospitals in remote tribal areas, developing nations, and areas hit by natural disasters. The hospitals and clinics set up to aid the people are in extreme need for medical supplies and are able to use that which we no longer or can’t use here in US. At the time of my trip, there was a container leaving for Vietnam, and plans for three containers to be shipped to Indonesia, Swaziland, and Nigeria.
World map marked with recent shipments
Because of you
After an hour-long tour and then unloading our supplies, I left Project C.U.R. E. with a little spring in my step and had such a good feeling that we together are doing something to make a difference. I want to thank everyone who makes this possible.
Unpacking our donations
To each of you that sent in a donation, there are no words to describe your kindness and generosity. A simple thank you would not suffice. For each of us that is taking a difficult situation and turning it into something positive, it is a testimony to your strength and ability to overcome this obstacle life has put in your path. Everyone that has made this gesture of goodness, please know that we are, and will forever be, grateful. Your donation will be put to good use and someone out there in this world is having an easier time on their own journey because you thought to do this. And a special thank you goes out to Project C.U.R.E and Sandra for working hand in hand with us to help get our supplies to those in need. United we stand.
Sandra and Me
Anyone wishing to donate unused new ostomy supplies or any medical supplies can read more. This is an ongoing donation drive. Email if you have any questions: Nadia@UCVlog.com.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
~Mahatma Gandhi
~Nadia
