Our Crowdfunding Groups
WHO ARE WE?
The Medical Aid Initiative (MAI) is a student-run organization that works in collaboration with UCLA Health to collect and redistribute unused surplus medical supplies that would otherwise be disposed of to communities in need both locally and internationally. We are committed to addressing healthcare access inequities by providing those in need across the world with life-saving medical supplies while reducing waste in the healthcare system. Through the three main tenets of our mission, Sustainability, Awareness, and Distribution, MAI seeks to promote sustainability at UCLA Health, empower communities across the world with free medical supplies, and raise general awareness of sustainability in healthcare.
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
According to a study conducted by the National Academy of Medicine, healthcare systems across the United States throw out $765 billion worth of unused medical supplies every year mainly due to purchasing surpluses. MAI works to address this alarming statistic. To date, MAI has saved over 6,000 pounds of medical supplies from the waste stream and donated over $350,000 worth of supplies to over 20 different countries. Yet, our impact has been limited by financial constraints.
Currently, the Medical Aid Initiative relies on our members’ financial contributions and a variety of fundraisers throughout the year to fund our operations. Many of our goals to expand and spread awareness of medical sustainability within UCLA and across California’s healthcare system are plagued with financial limitations. As college students, many of our volunteers are already dealing with financial pressure as is. YOUR support can alleviate these burdens. Please consider donating to this organization so we can continue to help thousands of people across the world in need and put an end to wasting billions of dollars of usable medical supplies.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE UCLA FOUNDATION'S DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS FOR DONORS
Should this fund reach the campus minimum required for the establishment of an endowment or quasi-endowment, The UCLA Foundation reserves the right to convert this fund to an endowment or quasi-endowment. Please click here to learn more about how the UCLA Foundation invests and manages its endowments.
Help fund the cost for one storage bin to help keep our warehouse better organized with medical supplies!
Help cover the costs for tools that make our warehouse more organized and better stocked with medical supplies!
Help cover the costs of one of our outreach events where we spread awareness on the importance of medical sustainability!
Help us attend conferences nationally to spread awareness about the importance of medical sustainability and to learn from other global health organizations!