On August 31, 2015, our organization’s namesake, James Hollister, passed away after a year-long battle with brain cancer. In the days following his passing, James’ family found themselves in possession of thousands of dollars' worth of perfectly usable cancer medications—but no clear way to pass them on to another patient in need.

Despite their best intentions, the family was told they couldn’t donate the medicine to others at the hospice care facility due to liability and tampering concerns. Eventually, they turned to a local medicine drop-off center. What they didn’t know was that the medication, still viable and sealed, would be immediately destroyed.

That moment revealed an uncomfortable truth: saving a life shouldn’t be this hard.

James’ son, Matthew Hollister, and his close friend, Stefano Brugnerotto, later learned that this wasn’t an isolated case—it was part of a much bigger issue. In the U.S. alone, an estimated $2 billion in prescription drugs is wasted annually, with as much as $5 billion worth of sealed, unused medications thrown away, flushed, or incinerated—often creating environmental harm.

At the same time, communities across the globe suffer from life-threatening drug shortages. Clinics lack antibiotics. Hospitals run out of basic wound care supplies. Patients go untreated.

Stefano and Matthew were appalled by this paradox: an excess of medicine in one part of the world, and critical shortages in another. So in October 2015, they founded the James Hollister Wellness Foundation (JHWF)—not just to reduce waste, but to build a movement:

Save a Pill, Save a Life.

It’s more than a motto—it’s our mission.

We offer individuals, families, pharmacies, hospitals, and nursing care facilities a way to ensure their unused, unexpired medications and medical supplies don’t go to waste. Instead, these resources are redirected to patients in need around the world.

Through our unique donation model:

• Medicines in their original packaging are sent to partnered medical teams operating in countries like Honduras, Ukraine, Mexico, Costa Rica, Bolivia, and Guinea.

• Prescribed medications still in labeled pill bottles are sent to repository pharmacies for safe re-dispensing.

• Licensed medical professionals handle every step, ensuring that every donation is delivered ethically, legally, and effectively.

Since our inception, we’ve saved millions in medicine from being destroyed and helped deliver care to over 600,000 people globally.

What began as a personal tragedy has become a global response—a movement that proves a single act of generosity can ripple outward, saving lives across borders and circumstances.

In loving memory of James Hollister, whose healing legacy lives on in every clinic stocked, every patient served, and every life saved.

Join us. Save a Pill, Save a Life.