Insurance delays and high out-of-pocket costs make donated medical equipment a critical resource for families of medically complex children
Maryland Heights, Mo. (May 13, 2025) – Two St. Louis organizations came together Saturday, May 9, to collect 4,045 pounds of donated medical equipment that will help local children and adults access critical care items they need at home.
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital hosted the equipment drive for STL Help, a local organization that lends medical equipment to adults and children.
Ranken Jordan serves patients with complex medical conditions, a population that requires a lot of medical equipment. While patients have access to everything they need during their stay in the hospital or in an outpatient appointment, securing equipment for home use can be difficult due to insurance delays, coverage gaps and high costs.
The challenge is especially significant for children, who frequently outgrow equipment and require new sizes and adaptations as they grow. Some items can cost thousands of dollars out of pocket, which is an unfathomable expense for many families.
“Because of insurance delays or cost barriers, securing what a child needs to be discharged by the time they need it can sometimes seem impossible for caregivers,” said Kristin LaRose, Ranken Jordan’s Chief Nursing Officer. “Our care model, Care Beyond the Bedside, is focused on supporting the whole child, which includes the happiness of their family and setting everyone up for success after the child is discharged. STL Help is a lifeline for families in our community so we wanted to support them by hosting this drive at our hospital.”
Karen Lanter, Executive Director of STL Help, said the donated equipment from the drive will benefit families across the region while also keeping reusable medical items out of local landfills.
“Every wheelchair, walker, shower chair or pediatric mobility item donated today represents relief for a family facing a health crisis,” Lanter said. “These donations help children participate more fully in family and school life, help seniors remain safe at home, and help caregivers navigate recovery with dignity. At the same time, this equipment stays out of local landfills and is redirected back into the community where it can immediately change someone’s life.”
To learn more about Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, visit RankenJordanFoundation.org. To learn more about STL Help, visit STLHelp.org.
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Media Contact
Haley Raymond, Leigh Walters Communications, (207) 227-7850, haleyr@lwcstrategies.com
Ranken Jordan
Ranken Jordan is a pediatric bridge hospital that cares for kids from birth to 21 who are well enough to leave a traditional hospital but need help before they go home. The only hospital of its kind in Missouri and one of only a select few in the country, Ranken Jordan specializes in caring for children and their families with the most complex conditions, illnesses and injuries, bridging the gap between hospital and home. The 60-bed hospital uses an innovative care model, Care Beyond the Bedside, which gets children out of their hospital rooms, activating the healing power of play. Located in the heart of the Midwest, Ranken Jordan serves patients from across the region at its state-of-the-art facility.
