Friends of Ostomates WorldwideUSA

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Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA
November, 2008
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What is FOW-USA?

• A non-profit volunteer organization founded in
  1986.
• Our primary effort is project SHARE whose goals
  are to
• collect new, donated ostomy supplies from
  generous individuals and organizations in the
  United States, and
• send them to countries where ostomates do not
  have access to these vital supplies.

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How are we managed?

• FOW-USA is managed by a Board of Directors, which
  meets at the Directors own expense, to work on
  issues related to our mission.

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Why is FOW-USA needed?

• Ostomates in developing countries frequently have
  to make their own ostomy appliances using
  available products such as
• plastic bags
• metal cans
• rubber gloves
• a towel.
• The quality of life is poor.
• Skin care is a major issue.
• Ostomates may be rejected by their families and
  villages.

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Where have we helped?
Hungary Bosnia Croatia Bulgaria Romania
Russia
Latvia Ukraine Armenia
Uzbekistan
Mongolia Nepal
Korea
Dominican Republic Bahamas St. Lucia Cuba Jamaica
Trinidad
Iraq Palestine
Mexico Honduras El Salvador Nicaragua Panama
China
Pakistan India
Algeria Nigeria
Egypt Ethiopia Tanzania Kenya Zambia Zimbabwe So
uth Africa
Thailand Viet Nam Malaysia
Philippines Indonesia
Columbia Ecuador Peru Bolivia Paraguay Chile
New Guinea
Brazil Argentina
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How much have we sent?
Tons shipped
Calendar Year
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Requirements of recipients

• Recipients must have the ability to receive the
  materials and distribute free of charge to needy
  ostomates.

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Other projects

• FOW-USA also
• sponsors membership in the World
• Council of Enterostomal Therapists
• (WCET)
• for nurses in developing countries and
• has purchased video cameras for clinics in
  Zimbabwe and Pakistan to help experienced
  professionals teach both health workers and
  ostomates about ostomy care.

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Our Partners

• We work closely with the Friends of Ostomates
  Worldwide-Canada to coordinate our efforts, as
  well as the International Ostomy Association, its
  regional presidents, and Hand in Hand Ministries
  in Louisville, KY.

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Collecting supplies

• Supplies are sent to a central warehouse, at our
  new location in Louisville, KY.
• Sources for supplies include
• people with surplus supplies no longer needed
• facilities that can no longer use supplies or are
  changing to other brands
• ostomy support groups that may have supplies
  donated by members.
• Donors send supplies at their own expense and
  receive an acknowledgement mailed out for tax
  purposes.

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At the warehouse

• At the warehouse, volunteers sort the supplies,
  putting the same sizes and brands together.

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Unpacking at the warehouse
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Results of unpacking process
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What supplies are acceptable?

• Pouches
• Flanges
• Skin barriers
• Skin wipes
• Paste
• Tape
• Belts
• Pouch covers
• Scissors
• Pediatric products

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What we dont accept

• Liquids or aerosols (due to shipping issues)
• Used supplies
• Expired supplies

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Sending supplies to countries

• Requests for supplies are received through the
  internet or referral from other sources.
• A volunteer Operations Director communicates with
  trusted individuals and organizations in the
  receiving country, such as
• hospitals,
• clinics,
• doctors,
• WOC nurses,
• and ostomy associations.
• Product needs are identified.
• Plans are made to ensure that the supplies will
  be distributed free of charge to needy ostomates.
  

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Sending supplies to countries

• Assurances are made that a health care
  professional trained in ostomy care is available
  to instruct ostomates in the use of the supplies.

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Repacking supplies for shipment
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Supplies are put into boxes, and boxes make up a
pallet
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The process works!

• Zimbabwe
• You are heaven sent, we dont know what we
  would have done without your donation of ostomy
  appliances.
• Chile
• As you can image sic we are very happy to
  have received your help. This gives us hope and a
  lot of encouragement that finally we will be able
  to help in part of the difficulties that we face
  in our country.
• Nepal
• We are very pleased to have received the
  shipment of ostomy products. This is a blessing
  to many of our poor patients.

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Financial contributions

• Through contributions, the Friends of Ostomates
  Worldwide-USA pays for expenses, including
  shipping the supplies.
• The cost to send packages to our overseas
  recipients is approximately 2 per pound.
• A 500 pound pallet costs approximately 1000 to
  ship.
• We rely on the generous financial donations of
  people who believe in our important cause.

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Donation process

• Send supplies and financial contributions to our
  new address FOW-USA, 1500 Arlington Avenue,
  Louisville, KY 40206-3177.
• Include in supply shipment
• Your name and address on the return label as well
  as in the shipping box.
• All contributors will receive an acknowledgement
  letter.
• We are a registered 501(c)(3) corporation with
  the Internal Revenue Service. This means that
  financial and supply donations may be
  tax-deductible on your Federal income tax.

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Web site

• Our website is www.fowusa.org.
• Please check it out for our
• shipping history,
• available resources, and
• information on how to support us.
• We look forward to hearing from you soon!