Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth is asking for donations of new or gently used aluminum crutches of any size, but particularly pediatric sizes.
The hospital said that due to shortages of aluminum and other raw materials related to ongoing global supply chain issues they have been unable to acquire future orders of crutches for patients in recovery.
Brady Gendke, vice president of operations at Cook Children’s Home Health, said Monday they are not currently without crutches and that they have enough on hand to last a couple of months, but they are asking for donations as a preventative measure to bolster their supply until the availability returns to normal.
Gendke said the most common sizes they use are youth and adult regular sizes, but they are happy to receive crutches of any size.
Get DFW local news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC DFW newsletters.
Donated crutches will go through a safety inspection and sanitation process similar to other equipment used in the hospital, such as walkers and wheelchairs, to ensure each pair is clean, operational, and safe to use.
"As we have seen over and over again, we have an incredible community to lean on together in times of need. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration, so that we can serve our patients and families," the hospital said in a statement.
The hospital emphasized the need for aluminum crutches only, and not those made from any other material. They also said they do not need walkers or canes.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Crutches can be donated now through Nov. 19 from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the main entrance of the downtown hospital on 7th Street. They are currently not accepting donations at satellite offices or urgent care clinics.
