Non-profit Healthcare Advocacy Organizations Join Home Medical Equipment Industry at Medtrade

Aug. 20, 2012 - PRLog -- The highly anticipated participation of major consumer healthcare non-profits at the upcoming Medtrade 2012 home medical equipment manufacturing industry show will encourage fundraising and foster unity in legislative initiatives.

MK Battery, in cooperation with Medtrade, the largest tradeshow in the world focused exclusively on the home medical equipment (HME) market, has announced the participation of national non-profit healthcare organizations in the upcoming Consumer Advocacy Pavilion at Medtrade 2012.  “We are pleased at the positive response from the leadership of these important groups that represent constituencies in the hundreds of thousands,” said  Dennis Sharpe, MK Battery’s Global Director, HME Business.  “While we expect to confirm a few more shortly, groups that have already committed to participate in the pavilion include, American Sleep Apnea Association, COPD Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans of America, United Cerebral Palsy, and UsersFirst, a program of United Spinal Association.

Including a consumer advocacy pavilion within the HME industry show is an “integral part of the third year strategy for MK Battery’s successful ‘Power for Funding’ campaign,” said Wayne Merdinger, VP of Business Development and International Sales for MK Battery.  “Our mission this year is to raise funds and heighten awareness by uniting the HME equipment community with relevant consumer advocacy organizations.  We are hopeful that these combined efforts will create powerful synergies to help move the bar on critical legislative issues that impact the industry--from product manufacturers to providers, and ultimately to the individual consumers whose access to affordable home healthcare products and services is being threatened.”

MK Battery is the leading supplier of batteries to mobility equipment manufacturers and providers.  Over the past two years, MK Battery’s “Power for Funding” initiatives have raised nearly $150,000 for industry and trade organizations, such as The National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART), The National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (NRRTS) and The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) to help advance their advocacy and lobbying efforts in support of the HME community, both businesses and end-users alike.  To kick-start the fundraising activity this year, MK Battery is contributing $50,000, most of which will be donated equally to the participating consumer groups.  

Medtrade 2012, which will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, October 16-18, attracts over 12,000 home medical equipment industry professionals and over 600 manufacturers showcasing their products.  “As legislative challenges continue to plague the HME industry, the need to unite all stakeholders, including consumer groups, has never been more critical,” said Kevin Gaffney, Group Show Director for Medtrade.  “We are happy to provide the Pavilion exhibit area, where the industry’s leading advocacy organizations and some of the most prominent HME relevant consumer non-profits will be able to share ideas while networking with industry providers and manufacturers.”  Amy Blackmore, VP Sales & Marketing for United Spinal Association, agrees.  “It is an opportunity to show Medtrade attendees how their support helps us bring programs to consumers with disabilities,” she says, “providing them with education and guidance on how they can advocate for products that meet their needs.”

About Medtrade 2012
Medtrade, the largest tradeshow in the world focused exclusively on the home medical equipment market, provides sales, marketing, educational, advocacy and networking opportunities. The 2012 show will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA, October 16-18. Visit www.medtrade.com/

About MK Battery
MK Battery, founded in 1983, markets sealed batteries for power mobility equipment and other applications through O.E.M.'s, distributors and dealers.  Headquartered in Anaheim, California, MK Battery operates 27 distribution centers in the USA, Europe and Australia.  Brands are sold and distributed on seven continents.  800.372.9253, info@mkbattery.com, www.mkbattery.com