Delivering hope around the world
When Haji Abdula‘s aunt became sick, suffering from a severe cough, he took her to a local hospital in Ethiopia. With limited diagnostic equipment, the clinic couldn’t offer much more than basic care. They then transported her to a clinic in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, where she could receive better care. Here, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Despite efforts to heal her, within three days, Haji’s aunt passed away.
“This was very tough for me. Why did this happen?” Haji Abdula, a Project C.U.R.E. Partner.
Haji was shocked. The loss was sudden and devastating, and Haji knew that he had to make a difference. His grief became the catalyst for something bigger that would eventually help people all over the world. He started saving money and sending it back home to build better clinics. Eventually, this personal mission led him to Project C.U.R.E. where Haji helped deliver thousands of dollars of medical supplies and equipment to his Ethiopian community.
Restoring health, one community at a time
Since 1987, Project C.U.R.E. has operated quietly but powerfully in the world of global health. A project that started in a founder’s garage in the mountains of Colorado has grown into one of the largest aid organizations in the world, serving people in over 135 countries. With over 35,000 volunteers and daily shipments of medical relief, Project C.U.R.E. is delivering lifelines of hope.
Donated medical supplies and equipment such as ICU beds, operating tables, syringes, monitors, gloves, suture tools, and even X-ray machines are collected from manufacturers, hospitals, and medical supply companies and shipped to communities that need them the most. One recipient hospital had been using sharpened lids from tin cans in place of scalpels because they didn’t have any resources.
“We work with partners and sponsors who actually go out and raise money for these containers to be sent. A cargo container means so many different things to so many different people.” Julie Topka, Chief of Staff, Project C.U.R.E.
Each cargo container represents hope for regions where babies are born without proper care and hospitals are still using decades-old equipment. In the US, Project C.U.R.E. operates distribution warehouses in Denver, Phoenix, Nashville, Houston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Kansas City, where medical supplies are collected and shipped overseas. Volunteers donate an average of 200,000 hours to organize, sort, and pack over 200 truckloads each year.
Ultimately, the goal of Project C.U.R.E. is to get people to a place where they say ‘Thank you, you were with us when we needed you. We don’t need you anymore.’
Digital tools have helped scale this impact, and Project C.U.R.E. has seen a huge difference since going all in with Microsoft. With Microsoft’s Dynamics 365, Teams, and Power BI, Project C.U.R.E. has streamlined its operations, making data sharing faster and more efficient. The team can better track cargo and clinic programs, and internally, staff experience less frustration. Donors are also more engaged because they can clearly see the impact of their contributions.
“It’s allowed us to simplify and streamline data sharing, and the more efficient we can get in sharing data about our cargo and clinics programs, the greater impact we’ll create.” Kris Anderson, VP of Operations, Project C.U.R.E.
Project C.U.R.E. is the world’s largest distributor of donated medical supplies, collectively reaching millions of lives every year.
The impact of hope
Each semi-sized cargo container delivery impacts an average of 35,000 to 45,000 lives. Multiply that by the number of containers shipped annually, and the reach is in the millions. In one clinic alone, the arrival of supplies increased care, effectively serving 45–50 patients a day.
Project C.U.R.E.’s goal is to empower communities enough so they no longer need help—they’re sustainable and ready to stand on their own. This vision is restoring health, providing hope, and establishing a strong healthcare system that communities can be proud of.
