Nursing students provide medical ‘Kits for Kids’ in developing nations

By Julie Filby

Students at Regis University’s Loretto Heights School of Nursing recently joined forces with Kits for Kids, an initiative of Project C.U.R.E., to provide medical supplies to underserved children and parents who visit medical clinics in developing countries.

On Jan. 28, nearly 100 students from the Regis Student Nursing Association gathered for their first meeting of the year, where they packed more than 30 bags of hygiene products and basic “medicine chest” items such as acetaminophen, hand sanitizer and bandages, to be sent to people in need around the world.

“The RSNA is a completely student-run organization whose mission is to support the development of nursing students prepared to lead in the nursing profession,” explained Jessica Hall, association president. “This mission is accomplished through the  promotion of equality, compassion, truth, justice, personal growth and academic excellence.”

It also means being of service to the community, both locally and abroad, she said, as  well as promoting health and wellness and access to healthcare—especially to  disadvantaged populations.

“We raise money in various ways so that we can use it to give back to those in need,” she said. Each bag they prepared contained supplies totaling $30; in addition they donated $5 for each bag to be shipped.

The event was guided by community outreach manager for Project C.U.R.E., Megan Prentice, who opened the RSNA event with a description of the program.

“Megan was incredibly open and kind and clearly passionate about the programs she runs,” Hall said.

Prentice will have a booth at the Living the Catholic Faith Conference at the Colorado Convention Center March 1 to help raise awareness for Kits for Kids. She is hoping to reach out to Catholic schools and parishes during the conference.

“It’s a great learning experience for the students,” she said, adding that students can track the bags to see what country and clinic the supplies are delivered to. Project C.U.R.E. sends supplies to 130 countries; and more than 1,000 Kits for Kids have been provided to the poor in Haiti, Afghanistan and Belize.

RSNA plans to participate in future Kits for Kids projects, as well as work in the organization’s Centennial warehouse. For more information, visit www.projectcure.org/kitsforkids, call 720-490-4025 or email meganprentice@projectcure.org.