MedShare

The South Pacific was recently overwhelmed by a number of natural disasters that have claimed many lives and left thousands of others injured and in need of medical attention. MedShare was quick to respond to the medical needs after an earthquake and devastating tsunami struck American Samoa.

 

On October 3, our Western Distribution Center shipped emergency medical relief aid requested by the Department of Public Health in American Samoa. The container was sponsored by Chicken of the Sea, with shipping provided by S.F. Enterprises out of the Port of Oakland, California directly to Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa.

 

“Chicken of the Sea’s relationship with American Samoa spans more than five decades, and we are deeply saddened by the tragic events there following the recent tsunami,” said Shue Wing, president of Chicken of the Sea International. “Our partnership with MedShare is helping us aid relief efforts in the area by providing much-needed medical supplies, as well as support the many people who have dedicated their working lives to Chicken of the Sea.”

 

 “Within a few hours after the tsunami hit American Samoa, MedShare was in direct communication with Public Health officials in Pago Pago”, said Chuck Haupt, Executive Director of MedShare’s Western Region. They told us of their great need for medical supplies and then proceeded to order the exact items they required to treat their patients.” 

 

In disaster relief situations such as this, basic medical supplies run out quickly. Within hours after MedShare received their custom order, volunteers and staff had picked the hundreds of boxes from the warehouse, wrapped them on shipping pallets, and then transported the truckloads to the Port of Oakland. MedShare was able to provide vitally-needed items such as sutures, oxygen tubing and masks, orthopedic supplies and a wide range of surgical supplies.  “This was an incredible effort by a dedicated team, supported by Chicken of the Sea, to help alleviate the effects of this terrible tragedy”, said Mr. Haupt.  

 

MedShare plans to continue its South Pacific relief efforts by sending needed medical supplies to the Philippines and Indonesia. We are currently raising $22,000 to help Lion’s Club International send a container of medical supplies to a hospital in the Philippines where typhoons have already killed over 850 people. 

 

We are also working with the Indonesian Catholic Community of Northern California to raise money to send supplies to the Association of Voluntary Health Services in Indonesia. Maersk has offered to provide the transport of the ocean freight to Jakarta.  However, an additional $16,000 is still needed to pay for the 40-foot container of medical supplies.

 

“MedShare has experience responding to disaster relief situations, like this. We have the logistics and needed medical supplies in place, we just need the funding support to make it happen,” said A.B. Short, CEO and Co-Founder of MedShare.  

 

To learn more and donate to this critical need project, click here.