FernCare is a grassroots project begun by a group of people who felt that the residents of Ferndale and surrounding communities would be helped immeasurably by having a free medical clinic close by. We opened the clinic in August, 2010. We have had a waiting list ever since.
It is an old cliché but true….the clinic and services are free to the patients but it requires money to provide the services. Clinic services are not supported by any government grants*….all of the money we use, we raise through fund raising events, small local foundation grants and donations via the Annual Appeal and through our Paypal button on our website home page or donations mailed into the clinic: FernCare, 459 E. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220.
*We received a $148,500 in late 2010 ( Federal appropriation grant through congressman Sander Levin) for capital costs but we cannot use any of that money for patient services or single use medical supplies.
As of December, 2011, it costs $2,100 per clinic session (30 – 40 patients) or about $64/per patient, per appointment.
Donations of medical equipment or medications
We are a donation point for donations of medical equipment and unused medications.
We do NOT take wooden crutches (they can’t be sterilized and they don’t hold up in hot, damp climates), or any narcotics. Take narcotics to the Royal Oak Police Station on E. 3rd in Royal Oak. They have a medication drop box and free 15 minute parking across the street. We also do not take oxygen tanks of any size. Call the distributor listed on the tank. They will pick it up.
Donations can be dropped off at the clinic during clinic hours – 9 am to noon on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, 9 – noon or on the 4th Thursday of each month, 6 – 9 pm.
We are a non profit 501(c) 3 organization and offer a donation receipt if that would be helpful.
All of the equipment goes to either World Medical Relief or S.A.Y. Detroit (a free clinic in Highland Park that has a physical therapy department). We take 2 truck loads of equipment a month to WMR or S.A.Y.!
