76th APS Airmen prep and load cargo bound for Honduras Published Feb. 7, 2014 By Senior Airman Rachel Kocin 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- The 76th Aerial Port Squadron (APS) lent a hand of care by helping give back to those in need. Airmen, working hand-in-hand with MedWish International, loaded pallets onto a C-17 Globemaster assigned to the 315th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C. during the February Unit Training Assembly, here. The cargo was then sent to Honduras. MedWish International, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1993 by Dr. Lee Ponsky. Ponsky was inspired to create the organization after he worked in Ogbomosho, Nigeria, and saw the need for medical supplies in the area. MedWish International objectives are to repurpose medical supplies that have been discarded by the healthcare industry, and in so doing reduce solid waste from entering landfills prior to the equipment's lifecycle. Some of the medical items delivered include gauze pads, exam glasses and surgical gloves, as well as furnishings for hospital rooms and radiology units. The radiology units are not readily available in Central America. "I think this shows our global power for our fellow country in their times of need," said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Shaffer, air terminal operations specialist with 76th APS. "It opens up people's minds for what can be accomplished." This medical equipment will help three hospitals in Honduras, two of which are in remote areas, not surrounded by local businesses. More than 535,000 people in Honduras, including 185,000 children, will benefit from this donation. "This program dramatically reduces the cost of shipment and allows us to ship more items to our recipients," said David Cicerchi, volunteer program manager with Medwish International. "This is a very rare opportunity for us that allows us to facilitate our mission which is to save lives in developing countries by providing these medical supplies." Many supplies come from the Cleveland Clinic and other hospitals in the Cleveland area. "If we don't have enough shipments going out, many of the supplies will expire in our warehouse and have to be thrown out," said Cicerchi. YARS personnel are able to assist in the packing and shipping process through use of the Denton program, helping not only Medwish but also the citizens of Honduras while receiving valuable training.