Prosthetic devices don’t last forever, and eventually, you’ll need to replace your current prosthesis with a new one. Generally speaking, prosthetic devices are not reused in the United States due to legal issues; but it is possible to disassemble used limb prostheses and ship them to other countries for people in need.
If you’re looking for a way to donate an old prosthesis, the organizations listed below may be able to accept them, depending on their program’s current needs.
Hope to Walk
13016 Eastfield Rd. #200-310
Huntersville, NC 28078-6622
704/243-5006
hopetowalk.org
Hope to Walk designs and develops functional, affordable prosthetic devices. They also have a delivery model that allows the poorest in the world to have an opportunity to walk. They accept donations of lower-limb prostheses and/or parts.
Limbs for Life Foundation
9604 N. May Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
405/843-5174 or 888/235-5462 (toll-free)
limbsforlife.org/get-involved
The Limbs for Life Foundation collects and distributes used prostheses and prosthetic componentry, totally free of charge, to amputees in Third World countries. They use parts to create prostheses for their recipients, which reduces the costs for the prosthetist. This organization also accepts unused socks or liners.
Prosthetic Hope International
1937 Shalimar Dr.
Atlanta, GA 30345
prosthetichope.org/projects/pocc
Prosthetic Hope International’s purpose is to keep surplus usable P&O goods from being sent to landfills while so many people around the world are in desperate need of prostheses and orthoses. This organization provides a clearinghouse to individuals, P&O facilities, manufacturers, and distributors that allows them to make tax-deductible donations of new and gently used prosthetic items, and new orthotic items.
Standing With Hope
PO Box 159115
Nashville, TN 37215
866/377-7175
standingwithhope.com/prosthetics/donate-a-used-prosthetic-limb
Standing With Hope is a faith-based prosthetic outreach program that ministers to West Africa. They accept donations of socks, liners, used prostheses, and other prosthetic supplies.
Your Donation Could Change Lives!
If it’s time for a new prosthesis, your old one could change someone’s life. The list above is not an exhaustive list of donation options, so if you don’t see an organization near you, it’s worth doing some research to see if there’s one close to where you live that we haven’t listed.
Don’t forget to call BioTech for your next prosthesis fitting – we offer expedited fittings for our out-of-town patients, so your schedule can always be accommodated! Contact us today for more information.