Our thoughts are with families in our community who are coping with the effects of Hurricane Harvey. We realize that the devastation will have a prolonged impact on the entire community, including T1D families. When members of the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community face adversity, we rally around one another, perhaps because we know that no one is in this alone. We hope that if you were in the area impacted that you have reached safety and have access to the diabetes supplies you need. If you or someone in your network needs assistance, please find several resources below that can help.

During emergency crises such as this, it is critical for people with diabetes to have access to the medications and testing supplies needed to maintain proper blood glucose control, and to prevent serious sudden complications such as hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. As part of our emergency response, JDRF and the American Diabetes Association have joined forces to support Insulin for Life USA, a nonprofit program designed to respond domestically at times of natural disaster to deliver medical supplies and prescription medicine—namely, insulin—to those in need in Southeastern Texas.

Insulin for Life is working with multiple organizations to secure donations of insulin and ship pallets of new diabetes management supplies, both immediately and as needs continue in the region. Through this partnership, Insulin for Life has secured and shipped more than 3,750 pounds of supplies to the Houston, Galveston, Harris County and Corpus Christi communities, which will arrive by this Friday. The supplies include syringes, pen needles, alcohol pads, blood glucose meters, glucose test strips, lancets, and insulin—in both analogue and human insulins and vial and pen forms.

The five pallets will be shipped to the following shelters:

For more information, please visit JDRF’s dedicated Hurricane Harvey response page, which will be continually updated with resources that are available to the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community: www.jdrf.org/hurricaneharvey. This page includes shelter locations, support programs, how to access emergency T1D supplies, information on how to help someone with signs of a T1D emergency, and how others can help support the response effort.

If you are in need of assistance and have questions about the resources available, please call the American Diabetes Association hotline: 1-800-342-2383 (800-DIABETES). This hotline will be open with extended hours: from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CT, Tuesday, August 29 through Friday, September 1; and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 2.

Many other urgent needs are being handled on the ground by first responders, including the local health departments in conjunction with the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). We encourage all residents to comply with the safety guidelines set forth by local emergency management officials. To receive alerts and find other non-diabetes emergency information related to the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, please visit the City of Houston Emergency Information website at www.houstonemergency.org. If you are facing a life-threatening emergency, please dial 9-1-1.

JDRF will continue to support efforts in Texas and our mission will remain focused on a world without T1D. Our hearts go out to all those affected at this difficult time and we will continue our commitment and unceasing desire to see T1D eradicated.

Sincerely,

JDRF