Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference." - Kathy Calvin

The progressive nature of ALS typically requires multiple pieces of equipment including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) to support basic daily living activities contributing to the best possible quality of life. There is a tremendous need for all of these types of equipment, particularly in the case where there is limited or no resources for payment, lack of insurance or coinsurance, and admission to hospice. Additional circumstances include extensive wait times for delivery of customized equipment (possibly from insurance) or intermittent equipment required for particular stages of disease progression. If you are interested in donating equipment to help those in need, please review the donation process and equipment lists provided below.

The Donation Process

The Florida Chapter collaborates with two durable medical equipment (DME) companies, Ability Medical and Numotion, who donate their time to our statewide Equipment Loan Program.  Once contacted about a donation, the Chapter will send a formal request via email to arrange for pick up of the equipment. *Because Ability Medical and Numotion service the whole state, we ask you to please allow 10-15 business days for the company’s representative to make arrangements for the pick up. 

Once the DME company has picked up the equipment and we have received confirmation, the Chapter will send you an acknowledgement letter as a way to say “Thank you” for your kind donation to our Program. 

Please note: The Chapter is not able to provide an appraisal value for your donation, nor can we include any values within the acknowledgement letter.  It is strongly suggested that you contact your tax advisor/consultant regarding your donation before the equipment is picked up.  Please visit the IRS website for more information regarding equipment donations. Should you have any questions or would like to move forward with a donation, please contact your local Care Services Manager or email carmen.fuster@als.org. 

Accepted Equipment

- Power Wheelchairs
- Manual Wheelchairs
- Transport Chairs
- Rollators
- Ramps
- Fully Electric Hoyer Lifts
We are able to accept the following communication devices*:
- Talk To Me Technology Devices
- Prentke Romich Company (PRC) Devices
- LC Technology Devices
- Forbes Rehab Services (FRS) Devices
- Tobii Dynavox I-Series Devices (I-12, I-12+, I-15, & I-15+)
 
*Please note: While we cannot accept any communication devices that are not listed above, please contact your local Care Services Manager or email carmen.fuster@als.org for resources on other organizations that may be able to accept your device(s).
**Acceptance of this item will be determined by the technicians upon pick-up.
***All fully electric hospital beds must be able to be broken down into three parts to maintain storage space. Large size hospital beds may affect acceptance due to limited warehouse space.

Unacceptable Equipment

We are unable to accept the following items due to sanitary and financial reasons:

- Walkers
- Air Mattresses
- Tray Tables
- Transfer Boards
- Hospital Beds – of any kind
- Recliner Lift Chairs
- Slings
- Toiletry Items – of any kind
- Feeding tube formula
- Linens
- Supplements
- Medications 
- Ceiling Lifts
- Vehicle Lifts 
- Portable Scooters
- Semi-electric Hoyer Lifts 
- Durable Medical Equipment with Missing Parts
- Small Nondurable Equipment (reachers, utensils, etc.)
- Respiratory and Oxygen Equipment****
- Roho Cushions**

****We are not able to house respiratory/oxygen equipment in our Loan Program as we do not have the appropriate respiratory healthcare professional on staff to assist in the setup, training and maintenance involved with using this equipment.  However, there are two respiratory companies that our Chapter refers who are accepting donated respiratory equipment and work to place the equipment in homes of people with ALS who are in need. Please contact your Care Services Manager for these local resources. 

If you are interested in making an equipment donation or have any questions, please contact your local Care Services Manager or email carmen.fuster@als.org