I have to say that I am VERY excited to spread the word about an awesome project taking place courtesy of Josh Nesbit (didn’t I tell you he would be doing big things?) and the team behind FrontlineSMS:Medic.
Have you ever wondered what you could do with the cell phone you are no longer using? With the sheer amount of choices and upgrades that occur in the cell phone world, it’s no wonder people go through several in a few years’ time! Of course, instead of throwing away your old phone you have some options for recycling it. But what if you knew of another option beyond recycling…actually knowing that your old cell phone would not only be used again but used to help save lives.
That’s where this wonderful new project comes into play.
Today, FrontlineSMS:Medic launched HopePhones.org and Hope Phones, a nationwide mobile phone collection campaign supporting mHealth programs at medical clinics in over 30 countries. The campaign will make use of old cell phones in the US to provide phones for clinics and health care workers in the developing world. I am a huge proponent of mHealth and truly believe it will play a large role in the future success of public health.
Hope Phones will make use of the nearly 450,000 cell phones discarded every day in the US. HopePhones.org allows donors to print a free shipping label and send their old phone in to The Wireless Source, a global leader in wireless device recycling. The phone’s value allows FrontlineSMS:Medic to purchase usable, recycled cell phones for healthcare workers.
Hope Phones lets you give your old cell phone new life on the frontline of global health. That’s powerful,” said Josh Nesbit, Executive Director of FrontlineSMS:Medic. “Just one, old blackberry will allow us to purchase 3-5 cell phones for healthcare workers, bringing another 250 families onto the health grid via SMS. Old phones can help save lives.
Personally, I plan to donate 2 unused old cell phones that I have laying around. I knew I held onto them for a good reason! I challenge you to do better and find as many colleagues/friends/neighbors as possible to help get their old phones that they would just either throw away or simply recycle and use them for this project.
Can’t wait to see the number of phones donated at the end of this week!
Josh and the team have also put together a Hope Phones widget that can be used to help spread the word and continue the good work that this program is doing:
