FAQ
What, specifically, does my donation help pay for?
MedLend is supported over 75% by public donations, grants, and gifts-in-kind. Donations help offset the costs of each mission, an average of $40,000. Costs include:
- medical equipment and supplies that range in price from $3,000 - $45,000
- transportation of equipment and supplies (volunteers pay their own way to the destination)
- food and lodging for volunteers while on the mission
Literally 92% of each donation goes directly to purchasing equipment, supplies, and medication. A small percent goes to proving limited scholarships for student volunteers. The rest goes to our administrative fees, which are kept minimal by sharing resources, such as staff members and office space, with the founder's private practice.
What are Medical Missions?
Teams of health care professionals travel around the globe to give free medical services to people living without access to it because of economic and / or infrastructural limitations. MedLend specifically offers surgeries as well as clinic examinations and medications.
Are these missions religious?
No. MedLend missions are secular, created to help those in need of medical care. MedLend is not affiliated with any religious organization. However, we do accept donations and volunteers from all walks of life. Also, our overseas patients often tell us that our services are, to them, a gift from God or an answer to their prayers. MedLend makes no comment on the validity of these statements.
What countries has MedLend done surgical missions to already?
The Philippines, Tonga, Guatemala, India, Peru, and Uganda
Can MedLend do a medical mission in my home country?
Possibly. That depends. Would you be willing to volunteer as a Program Director? You would have to act as a main contact and an organizer, helping us find a hospital near your town or village we could work with, a place for volunteers to stay, as well as transportation between volunteer lodging and the hospital on a daily basis during the mission. If you are up for the challenge, please contact us.
Why a hospital? Does MedLend only work in hospitals?
Patient safety is always our main concern. Though we have done M.A.S.H. style missions in the past, hospitals are really the most appropriate place to perform surgery. We try to find hospitals that have a need - perhaps they are hoping for new laparoscopic equipment, or need updated training with new techniques or technologies. It has to be a give-and-take situation. They loan us operating rooms to work in, we give them some new supplies, equipment, or specialized training experience.
How do you get all your equipment and supplies to mission locations when they are so remote?
We carry it. 24-26 extra pieces of luggage filled with medical machines, equipment, medications, and supplies... Shipping is expensive, and leaves MedLend vulnerable to loss or theft.
What Makes MedLend different from other, similar international medical care charities?
There are as many answers to this question as there are other groups of international medical care providers. One difference is that we keep team size small so we stay streamlined.
Another is that we do surgeries. Many other similar groups simply do examinations, passing out medications or treating small wounds.
Also, MedLend specifically stays out of active war-zones. Though there are always risks of terrorist attacks in any country we visit, we do our best to stay away from high-risk danger areas to keep our volunteers as safe as possible.
How old do you have to be to volunteer?
To go on an international medical mission, you must be at least 18, but there are plenty of volunteer opportunities you can help with otherwise, no matter how old you are. Check out our volunteer page for more information.
- Donate
- Plan a fundraiser
- Ask your local hospitals and health care facilities to donate equipment and supplies. See our wish list for more details.
- Tell 12 friends about MedLend. Ask them to donate. Every little bit helps. A $20 donation can provide gloves for all our volunteers, as well as sponges and ID bracelets for over 100 patients.
- Show or tell how inspired you have been by our work. Write an article for our bi-annual newsletter, or create a piece of artwork we can include in the next issue.
- Get on our mailing list by sending us your contact information: name, phone, address, and e-mail. We promise you will not be tormented by an onslaught of solicitations. In fact, all you will recieve after confirmation is our bi-annual newsletter, and e-vites to fundraising events. It's a fun and educational way to help those who cannot help themselves.
