A Lowcountry hospital is asking for used crutches due to aluminum shortage. How to help
Beaufort Memorial Hospital needs your old crutches.
A global aluminum shortage has forced the medical center to seek donations of gently used adult crutches, according to a hospital news release.
“We’re hopeful that there are plenty of used crutches gathering dust in closets that can be put to good use for our patients,” CEO Russell Baxley wrote in a statement.
Donations can be made Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at two locations in Beaufort County:
The LifeFit Wellness Center, Beaufort Memorial Medical & Administrative Center — 990 Ribaut Road, first floor
The Beaufort Memorial Okatie Medical Pavilion — 122 Okatie Center Boulevard North, first floor (the security desk)
The hospital typically issues roughly 10 to 12 pairs of crutches per week, which equates to about 40 to 50 pairs each month, according to Phillip Mock, director of materials management.
Patients will not be charged for the donated crutches, Mock wrote in a statement. He said the crutches shortage could last until February.
“We have had an appropriate stock of crutches, and are far enough ahead of the problem so we have not yet had to rely on the donations,” Mock wrote. “In the meantime, we will be testing the donated crutches for functionality, then cleaning, sanitizing and changing pads for the donated crutches.
“With our current stock and donations, I feel confident we will not have an issue providing crutches to our patients when necessary.”
