FRIENDS OF OSTOMATES WORLDWIDE-USA

FRIENDS OF OSTOMATES WORLDWIDE-USA

Founded in 1986, the Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA (FOW-USA) is a non-profit volunteer organization that collects new, donated ostomy supplies from generous individuals and organizations in the United States, and ships them to countries where ostomates do not have access to these vital supplies. Through 2008, FOW-USA has shipped over 220,000 pounds of supplies, valued at $11 million, to 60 countries.
Here is how the FOW-USA organization works. Supplies are sent to a central warehouse in the United States, now located in a new site in Louisville, Kentucky. They come from a variety of sources: 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. At the warehouse, volunteers sort and put the same sizes and brands together.

Requests for supplies are received through the internet or referral from other sources. An FOW-USA volunteer communicates with trusted individuals and organizations in the receiving country, such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, WOC nurses, and ostomy groups, to identify product needs. We also ensure that the supplies enter the country without duty and are distributed free of charge to needy ostomates. We make sure that a health care professional trained in ostomy care is available to instruct ostomates in the use of the supplies.

Through donations, the Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA pays for expenses, including shipping the supplies and renting warehouse space. The cost to send packages to our overseas recipients is approximately $2 per pound. Since our shipments may run up to 800 pounds per pallet, shipping costs are significant and we rely on the generous financial donations of people who believe in our important cause.

The 60 countries to which we have shipped supplies include: Ethiopia, Chile, Iraq (Mosul), Nepal, Panama, Zambia, Bolivia, Palestine, Peru, Jamaica, Uzbekistan, Argentina, St. Lucia, and Zimbabwe. We appreciate pictures, email messages, and stories from the people and countries who receive our supplies. We work closely with the Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-Canada, as well as the International Ostomy Association and its regional presidents, and Hand in Hand Ministries in Louisville, KY, USA.

Our website is: www.fowusa.org. Please check it out for our shipping history, available resources, and information on how to support us. New address: FOW-USA, 1500 Arlington Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky, USA 40206-3177.