BBF's Surgical Instrument Program

Surgical Instrument Program
Contact Liam Carstens: lcarstens@brothersbrother.org

BBF Medical Directors, past and present

Thanks to large donations of quality surgical instruments, BBF has provided 37 countries 270 trays of basic gynecological, orthopedic, cardiac and other surgical sets.

In the past year, BBF medical director Dr. Chip Lambert had hand-carried instruments to Kenya which were used by HIV/AIDS medical workers.

Dr. Lambert said the new, high-quality instruments prevent post-operative complications that usually happen because the available tools are old and dull.

Dr. Lambert, who volunteers for BBF and works for the Medical Benevolence Foundation, a division of the United Presbyterian Church, also hand-carried these instruments to other places like Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt and Nicaragua where he donated them to local hospitals in need. He also sent instruments to Cameroon and Ghana.

"For a lot of these places, they've never had these instruments in their possession," Dr. Lambert said. "The things they did have may not have been working very well and these new instruments will broaden and increase the capacity of these hospitals."

When the first set of donations arrived late in 2006, Dr. Lambert said he was blown away by the quantity and quality of these surgical tools. There were over eight tons of instruments worth more than $4 million.

Surgical tools were also distributed in South American and Asian countries.

"The reputation of BBF far exceeds anything else in the area," Dr. Lambert said. "BBF is incredibly organized, cost and time efficient, and has sent a wide variety of resources to

Donated surgical instruments in BBF warehouse

some of the most needy people in the world."

Dr. Lambert encourages those who would like to donate to BBF to have the utmost confidence that their gifts will reach the local community in need.

If you would like to support BBF's Surgical Instrument Program with a monetary donation, please click here.

BBF, a 54-year old Pittsburgh-based international charity, has provided over $4 billion of medical supplies, textbooks, food, seeds, and other humanitarian supplies to people around the world in over 140 countries. With the help of gifts from the general public, corporations and the US government, in the first six months of 2011 BBF sent product contributions to those in need in 54 countries. In the same period of 2011, BBF furnished supplies for 142 medical and humanitarian hand-carry mission trips.

Forbes Magazine, the national business periodical, ranked Brother's Brother Foundation tied for first as the most efficient charities in its online ranking of the 200 largest U.S. charities. This list rates charities on how efficiently they collect and distribute donations.
Brother's Brother Foundation received 100 % or higher rating in charitable commitment, donor dependency and fundraising efficiency.

Donations to assist with shipping costs are greatly appreciated. Credit card donations can be made by calling Brother's Brother Foundation at 412-321-3160. Checks should be made out to Brother's Brother Foundation and sent to:
Brother's Brother Foundation
1200 Galveston Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

For additional information, please contact:
Karen Dempsey, Vice President Development/Administration @ 412-237-2324 or email: kdempsey@brothersbrother.org

Luke Hingson, President @ 412-237-2320 or email: lhingson@brothersbrother.org