(WHAS11) - SOS (Supplies Over Seas), a humanitarian aid program of the Greater Louisville Medical Society Foundation and Hand in Hand Ministries is mobilizing its resources to provide medical aid to victims of the recent massive earthquake in Haiti.
Haitians being rescued from the rubble need immediate medical attention and SOS is asking for assistance to respond with emergency medical supplies. In catastrophes such as this, the greatest needs are basic first aid supplies, sutures, exam gloves, oxygen masks, IV sets, steel instruments, syringes, splints, slings, crutches, wheelchairs, etc.
Calls are already pouring in, says SOS Director Allen Montgomery.
"Louisville-area physicians, medical facilities, hospitals, supply companies and individuals are making financial donations and contributing life-saving medical supplies,” Montgomery said. “As usual, our citizens are showing that they have a massive heart for helping people in desperate need."
The SOS program is a community-wide homegrown effort started by Louisville physicians that unites the local medical community to help the neediest communities around the world. Volunteer physicians, nurses and medical students collect and sort excess medical supplies and equipment from area medical facilities. Since the organization's inception in 1993, 87 underdeveloped countries have been served with over 530 tons of medical supplies all gathered from the Louisville area.
To donate funds now go to www.suppliesoverseas.org On the donations page, type "SOS/Haiti Relief" in the special instructions box.
To help sort supplies, SOS is organizing a volunteer service day on Martin Luther King Day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Volunteers are welcome any time during that period on Monday, January 18. A medical background is helpful, but not necessary.
To volunteer or donate medical supplies, call 502-736-6360 or 502-291-8989 (cell) or e-mail bill.roof@suppliesoverseas.org. Items can be scheduled for pick-up or can be dropped off at the SOS Warehouse, 1500 Arlington Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206.
