Due to a global shortage of aluminum, Pat Walker Health Center — like many health care facilities — is finding it increasingly difficult to replenish its supply of crutches for patients.

In response, Pat Walker Health Center is hoping to lean on the campus community for help as medical suppliers, online vendors and secondhand stores continue to be sold out, with no clear date on when crutches may return to store shelves.

"Like other healthcare facilities, we're reaching out to our patients and community to see if they would be willing to donate their no-longer needed crutches, so we can have crutches available for those who need them," said Leslie Adams, RN, director of nursing for PWHC. "It's hard to imagine trying to get around after fracturing a bone without them, so we're hopeful there are plenty of used crutches gathering dust in closets and garages that can be put to good use for our patients."

DONATE YOUR NO-LONGER USED CRUTCHES

Anyone who has gently used aluminum crutches, a cane or a walker sitting around their home is encouraged to donate them to Pat Walker Health Center, 525 N. Garland Ave.

Simply bring your no-longer needed crutches to our Primary Care medical clinic intake and the staff will gladly repurpose them for future patients.

All donations will be inspected for safety and sanitized, then distributed to patients who need them.