February 26, 2025 | Caroline Jackson
Held monthly, our “Lunch and Learn” meetings keep volunteers, donors, and Project C.U.R.E. supporters informed about our latest initiatives! The recorded meeting can be found at the bottom of this post.
Project C.U.R.E. works diligently, overcoming obstacles to deliver health & hope every day. Our volunteers, donors, and supporters are key contributors in driving our mission into the hands of those who need it most. With seven locations around the United States, we use our Lunch and Learns as a way to keep everyone up to date on our latest successes, challenges, and agenda. Don’t have 40 minutes to spare? Here are some key points from January’s Lunch and Learn:
One of our core values at Project C.U.R.E. is partnership. Many of the places we deliver to are incredibly hard to reach–whether that is due to their political environment or actual location. Project C.U.R.E. partners are many times in-country resources that can help us clear these obstacles.
Danny Payne, our National Director of Operations, began the Lunch and Learn by sharing a story of a container delivered in a hard-to-reach place: Haiti.
While being one of the few still operating, a surgical center found their patients walking over mountains to reach their front doors. Their surgeons, nurses, and staff were being kidnapped and held for ransom due to the vital role they play in the community. Furthermore, the center was desperately low on supplies, “having to adjust what services they could offer just because they were out of supplies,” says Danny.
[caption id="attachment_4282" align="aligncenter" width="552"]
The hospital staff at the surgical center in Haiti.[/caption]
Project C.U.R.E. partners stepped in not only to help deliver a container of the necessary equipment to this surgical center but also to provide security for the staff.
Through this delivery, the community was given hope that the world still cares about them: “Thanks to all of you for believing in our dream. Santa Claus was just a little late, but not by much,” says a Project C.U.R.E. partner.
We are incredibly grateful to our Nashville and Kansas City teams for making this delivery possible!
Kris Anderson, Vice President of Operations, announced we have had a record-breaking fiscal year!
From June 1, 2024, to January 21, 2025, there have been 117 shipments sent out. Combined, that is around $43 million worth of medical equipment and supplies. Delivered to 33 countries around the globe, we are set to make as big of an impact as we ever have.
We are so thankful for all of our team members and volunteers who show up almost seven days a week. We wouldn’t make this impact without every one of you!
“She won’t stop worrying about a certain little boy,
Gurneys and nebulizers,
We’ll definitely need more IV poles.
She’ll explain why office chairs and desks are important.
She’s probably going to hunt down another 700 beds,
Because the last 700 were already promised—
They only lasted about three weeks!
She’ll ask you to search everywhere for mattresses,
And when you think there
are enough,
Let’s find more.
In Ghana, there are only 6.9 hospital beds
For every 10,000 people.
She’ll start having nightmares about the lack of oxygen tubing for babies.
We’ll find more ways to pack Acro Bins,
And think of ways to keep the precious supplies we share clean.
And more ways to fix wheelchairs.
She’ll start asking random volunteers
If they know how to upholster [tables that come in with cracks]
She’ll make friends with all the midwives,
So let’s take our birthing supplies to a new level!
She’ll learn a new way to sterilize instruments—
Or maybe not so much.
Autoclaves. Autoclaves. Autoclaves.
The difference between infection and not.
We’ll have some serious conversations about otoscopes,
And the lack of basic diagnostic tools.
She’s going to develop a strange obsession
To find more infant warmers,
And keep high school students busy folding and packing linens.
Eventually, she’ll get on a plane
And have more than 20 hours to think about procurement,
Which will make her think about that little boy again…
And she’ll be very grateful that you all are here.
Because together,
We can change someone special’s world.
And everyone is special.
Especially you.”
Janet Thomason is Project C.U.R.E.’s Director of National Procurement. After a recent trip to Ghana in the Ashanti Region, she turned her experience into a new version of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”– “If You Send Your Procurement Person to Ghana.” For photos and context, please refer to the meeting recording from 9:13 to 13:39.
Hearing from Josh Lowe, Director of BioMed Technology, we were able to gain access to the mass inventory acquired by BioMed in 2024.
Thanks to the volunteers sorting, repairing, and taking inventory, we were able to audit over 7,000 pieces of equipment. 1,700 marked as high-priority!
There were more than 70 infant incubators, over 460 patient monitors, 42 ultrasound machines, 13 anesthesia units, and 36 ventilators.
“I feel really privileged to work with you all for the care and help you provide to people who will never know your name, and vice versa. It’s really inspiring,” says Lowe.
BioMed has a huge impact when received by a hospital or clinic overseas. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our BioMed team, please reach out to [email protected].
During our December Lunch and Learn, we shared a story about the first cesarian section performed at a hospital in Ethiopia. It was made possible with supplies delivered by Project C.U.R.E.
After recognizing the impact we’ve had on the healthcare system, the Ethiopian parliament met to discuss the next steps. When they unpacked the primary container that arrived in April, they were able to assess the situation and identify the most urgent needs, now that most of the necessary supplies were already in place. They decided that a new X-ray unit was the top priority. As a result, the Oromia Health Bureau purchased a brand new digital X-ray machine for the facility, concluding that the savings from our container helped cover the costs of this critical equipment!
Last month, we asked volunteers and staff to fill out a questionnaire about what motivates and inspires them. The answers are all-encompassing:
“It is making a worldwide difference in a friendly environment. I like being part of something bigger than myself. I like being part of a team.”
“I like to feel the satisfaction of a job well done and helping others to save lives globally.”
“I understand how frustrating it can be to be unable to provide needed care because there aren’t resources available.”
“It is a great way to give yourself for the good of the world, and it also is a nice way of meeting new people.”
“Working with others to test equipment and get all the supplies for the equipment, and then seeing that equipment loaded on a truck is so rewarding. I have volunteered at many other places, but Project C.U.R.E. is the most welcoming of all. People really care about one another and we work together to achieve the goals. None of us can do this on our own. We all appreciate each other and learn from everyone.”
Welcome to our Org Chart! On average, with the 58 positions filled in this chart, we can get out a container a week at each warehouse. Do you see a position that you think you could fill? Find the nearest Project C.U.R.E. location to you and get started today!
With a background in higher education, employee training, and integrating process improvement and innovation initiatives, Meghan McCann is transitioning from our Director of Kits to National Director of Training!
“In my new role, my primary goal is to ensure that you have all the tools, the resources, and the support that you need to be successful,” says McCann.
We can’t wait to see Meg thrive in this position and the work that will be accomplished!
If you wish to learn more please refer to the meeting recording from 25:30 to 27:40.
Project C.U.R.E. Clinics and College team conducted essential newborn care training in Ghana. A midwife who attended the training requested a delivery instrument set. Something that can be seen as a necessity state-side, but a luxury for many labor and delivery units in underserved communities. With a container on its way out to Ghana from Chicago, our team was able to add this Midwifery Kit, including the delivery instrument set!
“There are so many instances of your work directly saving lives and so many instances of people who are benefiting directly from our work that we're open to exploring all these different types of partnerships and always looking to take on new partners,” says Danny Payne, our National Director of Operations.
27 seems to be our lucky number heading into 2025. With 27 containers going to Lesotho, 27 to Malawi, and 27 to Zambia, we have a lot to look forward to. Our work continues in Ukraine and all over the world with an endless need for supplies and equipment.
While we remain determined, we’re facing many challenges. Few organizations do what Project C.U.R.E. does, and that number is shrinking as new obstacles arise—like customs restrictions, vessel reliability issues, and port congestion. These are challenges we anticipated and have already started planning for, but they will undoubtedly continue to test us.
Going into the coming months, we are seeing increased needs for: medical beds and diagnostic equipment.
With nearly 1,000 beds being held in our warehouses, about 800 of them are already assigned to containers. We will continue to search for donations from hospitals and medical centers to fulfill these needs.
One of our biggest asks from volunteers, supporters, and staff is to spread the word about Project C.U.R.E. Donations only happen when healthcare providers around the United States know what we do. Without it, essential equipment is discarded and we aren’t able to address the needs of those who need it most.
Project C.U.R.E. is a unique experience in which you can work alongside those of varying beliefs, interests, and values. While you may differ in vast ways, you can come together for a united mission–delivering health & hope to those who need it most.
Join Project C.U.R.E. as a volunteer to join these impactful monthly meetings.
Thank you for your support. Together, we are determined to ensure that where you live doesn’t determine whether you live.
