The SS HOPE, the world’s first peacetime hospital ship, has symbolized Project HOPE since the organization’s founding in 1958. BD has been a partner to Project HOPE since 1970, providing cash, grants, donated products and the energy and expertise of our associates. The HOPE last sailed in 1972, and Project HOPE focused on land-based programs.

After the tsunami that struck southern and southeastern Asia in December 2004, Project HOPE returned to its original maritime calling, collaborating with the U.S. Navy to aid the region through a voyage of the USNS Mercy hospital ship–again, BD was a partner. Based on the success of that mission, this year Project HOPE and the Navy deployed the Mercy to the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh and East Timor. Volunteer doctors and nurses and Navy personnel immunized nearly 11,000 people against malaria, hepatitis A and B, typhus, mumps/ measles/rubella and other diseases. The vaccines were delivered by donated products including BD SoloShot™ auto-disable syringes, BD Luer-Lok™ syringes with PrecisionGlide™ needle and hypodermic needles. BD also donated sharps disposal units.

Since 1987, BD has donated over $12 million in medical supplies to Project HOPE for emergency and programmatic needs, including a $100,000 donation to help in the development of the Basrah Children’s Hospital in Iraq to address the needs of seriously ill and injured children.