At the end of May, around $10,000 worth of surplus medical equipment will be shipped to help earthquake victims in Haiti, in large part due to one Palisades Medical Center employee’s desire to help.
Carlos Sanchez, a senior surgical technologist, felt moved to action a week after the January earthquake struck Haiti.
Sanchez, a Secaucus resident, explained that every time a sterile surgical pack is opened, even though the hospital tries to make the most of the items included, often many of the supplies are not used and wind up being thrown away since the pack cannot be reused.
He said that the hospital uses opens around 15 to 20 of these packs every day.
They contain items like scrubs, sponges, gloves and sutures.
Sanchez had at first taken the unused items to Dover Business College, where he began teaching six months ago. The surplus equipment helped prepare his surgical technology students for real-life operating room experiences.
“Imagine if several people in all of the hospitals would do it. We wouldn’t have a shortage.” – Carlos Sanchez
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In February, with the permission of PMC, Sanchez reached out to medical missions orchestrated by the Guardians of Healing and Haitian-American Charitable Alliance organizations.
He already shipped $10,000 worth of supplies in February, with plans to send more through the help of charitable organizations, making the total so far a $20,000 donation.
“My whole point is I’m one person in one hospital,” said Sanchez. “Imagine if several people in all of the hospitals would do it. We wouldn’t have a shortage [of supplies].”
Saving supplies
Sanchez said that the surplus medical supplies can be used in a variety of ways. For example, many of them contain something that is similar to an ACE bandage, but is stronger. If a Haitian patient has a broken arm, doctors can make a splint from what normally would wind up in the garbage.
Extra unused surgical blades and an abundance of gloves will also be shipped.
“Some of the students are from [Haiti] and they told me Haiti has problems…but that they are trying to look for a better life and help each other, and I was just trying to help out with them,” said Sanchez.
Received Navy accommodation
Sanchez, a 17-year veteran of the US Navy Reserves, said that his work as a hospital corpsman also moved him to action.
He served in Desert Storm before being activated for deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
“To go out to other countries, third world countries where people struggle on an everyday basis just to survive [moved me],” said Sanchez. “The image has always been in the back of my mind.”
The Navy has also recognized his focus in helping others.
Sanchez said that after a Navy lieutenant read about his volunteer actions, he was awarded with the Navy Marine Core Achievement Award for his actions.
Collecting for the future
Sanchez said that with the permission of PMC, which he is grateful for, and the help of charitable organizations that ship the expensive packages to those in need, he will continue collecting surplus equipment and keeping it aside for the next time when a medical donation is needed.
“I wish to inspire a whole slew of people,” said Sanchez. “It can be anything, maybe clothing; just don’t throw it out. Put it aside for a rainy day. Somebody may need it.”
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.