How We Started & What We Do
Friends of Cruz Roja Cozumel
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Purchase and Deliver Medical Supplies
In its annual report for the year ended November, 2007, the Cozumel delegation announced a lack of
dependable financial support and its need to cut costs to maintain services without increasing fees. As
part and parcel of this, they are relying on us more than before for their supplies. As many items cost two,
three or even four times more in Mexico than in the US, we can and do save Cruz Roja a lot of money.
This helps them maintain the free ambulances and offer medical services at prices patients can afford.
Divers in Texas, Oklahoma and New York use their businesses as "depots" for supplies. This allows us
to quickly distribute and deliver supplies without paying to ship cartons long distances. Transportation to
Cozumel is by "burro." We encourage departing visitors to fill their unused, free baggage allowance with
supplies. Most items individually weigh less than 2 pounds.
As for Customs in Mexico, as long as specific, simple procedures are followed, there's no problem.
Donations to Cruz Roja are exempt from import tax. In Cozumel, we have many secure drop-offs in town,
including Cruz Roja, or items may be left for pickup at many hotels in the northern and southern zones.
Raise Money for Purchases and Projects
Many services are donated, such as this website and our domestic shipping. But we can't help Cruz Roja
if we have no money. I'll be happy to furnish our financial statements which show that we are in constant
need. Please make a donation -- $10 or $20 will help a lot -- so we can keep the ambulances running
and the clinic open.
Every penny we collect goes directly to Cozumel, mosty as merchandise but sometimes as a wire
transfer. We don't pay any administrative costs or salary. Nor do we pay for anyone's flight or hotel!
Donations go to our US-dollar account at Bank of America. Cash is transferred to Cozumel free either via
Safesend or by Commonwealth Foreign Exchange in California.
Funds are used at the sole discretion of Cruz Roja's director, who regularly sends us instructions.
Find Sources for Medical Supplies & Equipment
They always tell us, "We can use everything and everything gets used." The reality is that they can use
everything except expired prescription drugs.
Needed consumables include powder-free latex exam gloves (large); 3, 5 & 10ml syringes with needles;
bandages of all types including elastic; gauzes pads and rolls; ointments; sutures and suture-removal
kits; metal tools; True Track diabetic supplies; antibiotic wound washes; adult and junior wood tongue
depressors; pediatric and adult ibuprofen and more. For a full list with sources and prices, click here.
The equipment wish list includes ultrasonic nebulizers for children, traction splints, fingertip pulse
oximeters, a cast-cutting saw, and an electric cauterizer.
One good idea/source used by people who work in hospitals and doctors' offices is to save the unused
pieces of various medical kits. These items fill many wastebaskets every day. Another is collecting
nearly-expired and expired wound-care items from hospitals, nursing homes and paramedics. Yet
another is to contact hospital administrators when they go public with plans to expand, renovate or close
a facility.
With imagination, there are lots of untapped sources for the things Cruz Roja needs.
Help People Who Want to Volunteer/Mission Groups
We will try to help anyone who wants to help people in Cozumel. There are lots of opportunities and, if
Cruz Roja isn't a fit to your interests, we'll be happy to put you in touch other charitable groups and
individuals on the island who can assist you .
We've also coordinated trips for mission groups that have helped the DIF, the NUAFA women's shelter,
Chrysalis Group, the Las Fincas neighborhood as well as the Cruz Roja.
We constantly meet indivduals who want to do something for Cozumel and help them find like-minded
others, realize their ideas, or locate an existing group that they can join.
In its annual report for the year ended November, 2007, the Cozumel delegation announced a lack of
dependable financial support and its need to cut costs to maintain services without increasing fees. As
part and parcel of this, they are relying on us more than before for their supplies. As many items cost two,
three or even four times more in Mexico than in the US, we can and do save Cruz Roja a lot of money.
This helps them maintain the free ambulances and offer medical services at prices patients can afford.
Divers in Texas, Oklahoma and New York use their businesses as "depots" for supplies. This allows us
to quickly distribute and deliver supplies without paying to ship cartons long distances. Transportation to
Cozumel is by "burro." We encourage departing visitors to fill their unused, free baggage allowance with
supplies. Most items individually weigh less than 2 pounds.
As for Customs in Mexico, as long as specific, simple procedures are followed, there's no problem.
Donations to Cruz Roja are exempt from import tax. In Cozumel, we have many secure drop-offs in town,
including Cruz Roja, or items may be left for pickup at many hotels in the northern and southern zones.
Raise Money for Purchases and Projects
Many services are donated, such as this website and our domestic shipping. But we can't help Cruz Roja
if we have no money. I'll be happy to furnish our financial statements which show that we are in constant
need. Please make a donation -- $10 or $20 will help a lot -- so we can keep the ambulances running
and the clinic open.
Every penny we collect goes directly to Cozumel, mosty as merchandise but sometimes as a wire
transfer. We don't pay any administrative costs or salary. Nor do we pay for anyone's flight or hotel!
Donations go to our US-dollar account at Bank of America. Cash is transferred to Cozumel free either via
Safesend or by Commonwealth Foreign Exchange in California.
Funds are used at the sole discretion of Cruz Roja's director, who regularly sends us instructions.
Find Sources for Medical Supplies & Equipment
They always tell us, "We can use everything and everything gets used." The reality is that they can use
everything except expired prescription drugs.
Needed consumables include powder-free latex exam gloves (large); 3, 5 & 10ml syringes with needles;
bandages of all types including elastic; gauzes pads and rolls; ointments; sutures and suture-removal
kits; metal tools; True Track diabetic supplies; antibiotic wound washes; adult and junior wood tongue
depressors; pediatric and adult ibuprofen and more. For a full list with sources and prices, click here.
The equipment wish list includes ultrasonic nebulizers for children, traction splints, fingertip pulse
oximeters, a cast-cutting saw, and an electric cauterizer.
One good idea/source used by people who work in hospitals and doctors' offices is to save the unused
pieces of various medical kits. These items fill many wastebaskets every day. Another is collecting
nearly-expired and expired wound-care items from hospitals, nursing homes and paramedics. Yet
another is to contact hospital administrators when they go public with plans to expand, renovate or close
a facility.
With imagination, there are lots of untapped sources for the things Cruz Roja needs.
Help People Who Want to Volunteer/Mission Groups
We will try to help anyone who wants to help people in Cozumel. There are lots of opportunities and, if
Cruz Roja isn't a fit to your interests, we'll be happy to put you in touch other charitable groups and
individuals on the island who can assist you .
We've also coordinated trips for mission groups that have helped the DIF, the NUAFA women's shelter,
Chrysalis Group, the Las Fincas neighborhood as well as the Cruz Roja.
We constantly meet indivduals who want to do something for Cozumel and help them find like-minded
others, realize their ideas, or locate an existing group that they can join.
Deb's Story
As a frequent tourist to the island, I've enjoyed getting to know the people of Cozumel and have made many
friends there. When Hurricane Emily struck in July, 2005, I wanted to help but didn't have any clue what to do.
I searched for a quick solution as I was flying down the following week and learned of the Cruz Roja and its
work, telephoned their office for an appointment, packed 45 lbs. of medical supplies and flew.
What I found there went straight to my heart. It astounded me that these people could accomplish so much
every day with little funding and few resources. They couldn't find zinc oxide for diaper rash anywhere in
Mexico. A box of latex gloves, which costs $3.50 in the US, cost them $20 and had to be ordered from Mexico
City. Every tool was used, sterilized, and used again until it was no longer functional. They didn't have
glucose monitors for their diabetic patients or a pulse oximeter for the ambulance. The list went on and on.
I came away understanding that a hurricane disaster isn't their problem. They need regular and dependable
assistance. And I returned home committed to help and reach out to others. Within a year, the US-based
group, Friends of Cruz Roja Cozumel, was fully formed. We work closely with Cruz Roja to supply the
operation.
What we do:
As a frequent tourist to the island, I've enjoyed getting to know the people of Cozumel and have made many
friends there. When Hurricane Emily struck in July, 2005, I wanted to help but didn't have any clue what to do.
I searched for a quick solution as I was flying down the following week and learned of the Cruz Roja and its
work, telephoned their office for an appointment, packed 45 lbs. of medical supplies and flew.
What I found there went straight to my heart. It astounded me that these people could accomplish so much
every day with little funding and few resources. They couldn't find zinc oxide for diaper rash anywhere in
Mexico. A box of latex gloves, which costs $3.50 in the US, cost them $20 and had to be ordered from Mexico
City. Every tool was used, sterilized, and used again until it was no longer functional. They didn't have
glucose monitors for their diabetic patients or a pulse oximeter for the ambulance. The list went on and on.
I came away understanding that a hurricane disaster isn't their problem. They need regular and dependable
assistance. And I returned home committed to help and reach out to others. Within a year, the US-based
group, Friends of Cruz Roja Cozumel, was fully formed. We work closely with Cruz Roja to supply the
operation.
What we do:
Just letting you know that I
dropped the supplies you sent
me off at the Red Cross. It went
great. I will let you know the next
time I am going to be heading
down, probably in December,
and I will be able to take some
more stuff. Thanks.
Rhonda 6 June, 2006
dropped the supplies you sent
me off at the Red Cross. It went
great. I will let you know the next
time I am going to be heading
down, probably in December,
and I will be able to take some
more stuff. Thanks.
Rhonda 6 June, 2006
We all look forward to going to Coz
for rest, relaxation, diving, great
meals. What we may miss is that
there are some organizations that
are worthy of our assistance. The
Coz Red Cross is one of those.
Medical supplies we take for
granted are not easy to obtain on
the island. The Red Cross
provides free medical care and
can always use additional supplies.
They always need bandages and
that's usually what we take. They
are lightweight, compressible and
don't take much space in luggage.
On your next trip, consider doing
something that will make you feel
good and drop off some medical
supplies to the Coz Red Cross.
They're easy to find as they are
only a few blocks from the square
or you can drop off your "booty" at
Aqua Safari on Melgar.
It is almost too easy to buy and
you can order in bulk online .
If you spend $50-100, the shipping
is free. It takes 5 minutes to order
and it's delivered to your doorstep.
Who knows, you may even find
yourself on their website!
Even Customs recognizes the
good we do. We got the red light .
They opened our bags, saw the
medical stuff and we said it was for
the Cruz Roja. They smiled,
thanked us and sent us on our way.
Again, it's easy to do and you'll feel
better about your trip. I've also
been told it is "good karma" for
the weather gods.
Mark Lindsey, 8 May 2008
for rest, relaxation, diving, great
meals. What we may miss is that
there are some organizations that
are worthy of our assistance. The
Coz Red Cross is one of those.
Medical supplies we take for
granted are not easy to obtain on
the island. The Red Cross
provides free medical care and
can always use additional supplies.
They always need bandages and
that's usually what we take. They
are lightweight, compressible and
don't take much space in luggage.
On your next trip, consider doing
something that will make you feel
good and drop off some medical
supplies to the Coz Red Cross.
They're easy to find as they are
only a few blocks from the square
or you can drop off your "booty" at
Aqua Safari on Melgar.
It is almost too easy to buy and
you can order in bulk online .
If you spend $50-100, the shipping
is free. It takes 5 minutes to order
and it's delivered to your doorstep.
Who knows, you may even find
yourself on their website!
Even Customs recognizes the
good we do. We got the red light .
They opened our bags, saw the
medical stuff and we said it was for
the Cruz Roja. They smiled,
thanked us and sent us on our way.
Again, it's easy to do and you'll feel
better about your trip. I've also
been told it is "good karma" for
the weather gods.
Mark Lindsey, 8 May 2008
| In Case of Emergency Dial 065 from any phone + + + + + + Main phone numbers 872-1057 872-1058 |
| To reach Friends of Cruz Roja in the USA + + + + + + cozredcross@earthlink.net or deb@cruzrojacozumel.org |
