M.E.R.C.I.
Our Mission
Since 2016, the Medical Equipment Redistribution Collaborative Initiative (MERCI) has been an unwavering pillar of support for the Ottawa community. This student-led initiative has operated under a simple yet powerful mission: improving the quality of life in the community by overcoming the barriers that prevent equitable access to medical equipment.
MERCI pursues its mission through equipment collection and redistribution, which has a significant and far-reaching impact on the lives of those in need. Donations such as wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds, which can present major financial burdens, have been made available to all, free of charge. Through partnerships with local organizations such as The Ottawa Hospital, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario, and Bruyère, as well as occupational therapists and other charities, MERCI has strengthened its ties to the community. Today, it continues to carry out its crucial mission by providing individuals with equipment that allows them to live their lives with dignity and autonomy.
Despite being a small organization, MERCI’s accomplishments are assuredly nothing of the sort. MERCI has empowered those living with illness or impairment to regain their self-determination and independence, allowing these individuals to carry out activities of daily life, engage with their communities, and spend time with family and friends. Additionally, by transforming surplus into support, MERCI has succeeded in decreasing waste and keeping functional equipment away from landfills. In other words, MERCI has created a sustainable redistribution network that keeps the community happy and healthy.
This NPO is a marked example of the passion, generosity, and determination of University of Ottawa students.