Stratford group looking for medical supplies to help Ukraine

A grassroots organization in Stratford has been sending medical supplies to help Ukraine. As of Monday, the organization shipped its third collection shipment, and now it hopes to continue helping and send more.

Stratford Mission Depot is located at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Stratford has been around for 27 years to help with relief efforts worldwide.

Jean Aitcheson is a retired registered nurse and coordinator for the Stratford Mission Depot. She said this is the busiest they have been since they started.

To help Ukraine, they are accepting a wide range of medical supplies.

“Dressing wound care wraps, antiseptic cleansers bandits also on top need is intravenous kits, tubing, and IV catheter.”

Aitcheson noted people who have had surgeries or injuries that require home nursing care. Items like intravenous and IV catheters are given if a person has recovered before the supplies run out. They are often told to throw them into the garbage, but these are the items the people in Ukraine need.

“Some of the wound care items are 100 dollars each. Yet, you are asked to put them in the garbage. That is a travesty when they are so needed.”

The grassroots organization is also accepting personal care supplies and feminine products.

“We also want people's medication they have finished or are allergic to. We are trying to put together a pharmacy that would be treating disease and Metformin for diabetes and blood pressure pills.

Donations will be accepted by appointment only from all over the Stratford area, as well as Waterloo Region.

You can reach Jean Aitcheson at — jkhsn@quadro.net.