SOL Collective provides 100 wound care kits each week to our community in Kensington and we are asking for some support in funding our next public kit making event on Saturday, July 19th from 12-3pm at Kingsessing Library. We are seeking funds for 3 months worth of wound care supplies.

Why is Wound Care so Important?

This is an essential part of our outreach due to how wounds have been intensifying among those who depend on the Philly street dope supply. Several years ago, xylazine, an animal tranquilizer became even more present in the drug supply, and has been causing chronic necrotic wounds. Within the last few months, an even more potent tranquilizer, medetomidine, has been identified in the drug supply. This adulterant also causes chronic wounds, but additionally can lead to rapid dehydration, cardiac and circulatory depression, and peripheral vasoconstriction (lack of oxygen in limbs). All of these things significantly inhibit healing of wounds, making the need for long term treatment more necessary. While SOL does not provide the medications or treatments that many of these wounds need, we do provide the tools necessary to keep wounds clean and protected from irritants between provider visits. This cuts down on risk of infection greatly, and makes folks more comfortable.

What is in a Wound Care Kit?

Sterile Saline Solution: Used to wash out wounds. Especially important to people living outside since water is not always consistently available.
Non-adherent pads: A type of gauze that has a special layer that prevents it from sticking to the wound. Especially helpful for when people aren't able to change their bandages as often as they would like because bandages that are on longer are more likely to get stuck to a wound.
ABD pads: Thick, absorbent pads that are able to collect drainage from the wound. When a wound is infected, it is likely to have significant drainage.
Bandaids: Used for smaller cuts or injection sites. Protects the wound and prevents is from being exposed to things that could cause infection.
Petroleum Jelly: Keeps wound moist. Wounds need to be moist in order to heal! It also can prevent bandages from sticking to the wound.
Nitrile Gloves: Worn when changing bandages to prevent dirt and bacteria from getting into the wound.
Cotton Swabs: For applying petroleum jelly.
Rolled Gauze: Applied on top of the non-adherent pads and ABD pads to hold them in place.
Woven 4x4 Gauze: Used to clean the wound after taking off the previous bandages.

Summer 2025 Wound Care Fund

Help SOL Collective fund their summer wound care kit distribution!