ABOUT 4KFM
Learn the history behind our nonprofit and what kind of needs inspired our cause.
OUR PURPOSE
Four Kids from Michigan's purpose is to provide free medical aid to people in need.
OUR MISSION
Four Kids from Michigan's mission is to decrease the global disparity of medical-device acquisition by raising awareness and expanding action, locally.
The Inspiration
But first...
What is a Pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a life saving medical device that generates electrical impulses to regulate the function of heart. Patients who need pacemakers often have issues with their heart's electrical conduction system. The median cost of a pacemaker, including the device itself, implantation surgery, and recovery, is about $25,000 - $100,000 USD.
We Identified a Problem
About 250,000 pacemakers are implanted in the United States every year. Meaning, nearly everyone who needs one gets it. In comparison, there are around 1 million individuals living in low-middle income countries who need a pacemaker each year, yet only about 1 - 30 people per million get the care they need. This is because pacemakers and their implantation costs are often more expensive than most people's yearly salaries in these developing countries. Sadly, because of this lack of access, around 1 million people in these regions suffer and die each year due to untreated heart arrhythmias.
Our Solution
Seeing a need, we 4 were determined to take action. By creating our Pacemaker Donor Program, we bridge Southwest Michigan funeral homes with international organizations to recycle pacemakers, while advocating for locally the awareness of global, medical-device disparity.