Healthcare in many developing countries is a global crisis. The severe lack of healthcare disrupts social and economic stability in almost every developing nation. Disease causes nine-out-of-ten preventable deaths in developing nations among children and adults. Millions of children under the age of five die each year from preventable disease, and more than 70% of these deaths occur from pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, malaria and malnutrition.

Founded in 1987, Project C.U.R.E. (www.projectcure.org) is the world’s largest health systems strengthening organization—delivering 139 forty-foot ocean freight cargo containers of donated medical supplies and equipment last year. Each project begins with an onsite Needs Assessment to ensure that Project C.U.R.E. delivers the right items to the right people. Additionally, Project C.U.R.E. has conducted C.U.R.E. Clinics, Helping Babies Breathe Training, and Biomedical Technical Training at approximately 300 hospitals and health clinics in 40 developing nations.

On average, the value of a Project C.U.R.E. Cargo container is worth $450,000 on a wholesale basis. The cost of delivering a container is approximately $20,000 which provides an amazing 20-to-1 return on investment. Project C.U.R.E. operates Distribution Centers in Denver, Phoenix, Houston, Nashville, Chicago and Philadelphia where more than 20,000 volunteers sort more than 26,000 types of nonperishable medical supplies and certify medical equipment for shipment abroad. Project C.U.R.E. also operates 12 Collection Centers from Ithaca to Sarasota to Portland. Project C.U.R.E. receives both new and quality used medical items from hundreds of hospitals throughout the United States and medical manufacturers, such as Stryker, Medline, Medtronic, Kimberly-Clark, Steris and Hill-Rom.

Project C.U.R.E. operates on 1.9% administrative overhead and has earned numerous awards for being the industry leader in international medical donations. Project C.U.R.E. has been named a four-star organization by Guidestar and Charity Navigator and was ranked by Forbes as one of the 20 most cost effective nonprofits in the United States.