Free Diabetes Supplies and Insulin Available in Houston, Corpus Christi and San Antonio, Plus Extended Hours at 1-800-DIABETES Call Center

ARLINGTON, Va. (12:45 p.m. ET, September 2, 2017) – The first shipment of more than 3,750 pounds of diabetes supplies (5 pallets), provided by the critical partnership of American Diabetes Association (ADA), JDRF, Insulin for Life (IFL USA), has arrived in the Houston area. Supplies are available for public distribution at the following locations:

  • George R. Brown Convention Center and NRG Center, Houston
  • In Corpus Christi, starting Saturday afternoon, September 2, at the office of endocrinologist Jennifer Amaral, MD, PA, in the Christus Spohn South Health Plaza, 5920 Saratoga Blvd., Suite 300, Corpus Christi, Texas 78414, 361-442-2442.
  • In San Antonio, starting Saturday Afternoon, September 2, after 1 p.m. CT, at the Harland Clarke Shelter, 5003 Stout, San Antonio, Texas 78219.

Each pallet includes 200,000 syringes, 50,000 pen needles and 20,000 alcohol pads. Accompanying each pallet are separate packages containing dozens of blood glucose meters along with thousands of glucose test strips and lancets, which will allow an individual to test his or her blood glucose three times per day for nearly two months. More than 25,000 units of analogue and human insulins, in both vial and pen forms, will also be delivered for each pallet, pending safe delivery and temperature control conditions at the locations.

The ADA’s Center for Information, 1-800-DIABETES, has extended phone hours through the end of next week to assist anyone in need:

  • 9:00 a.m. CT to 3:00 p.m. CT during the Holiday weekend: Saturday, Sunday and Monday, September 2 – 4; and
  • 7:30 a.m. CT to 9:00 p.m. CT, Tuesday through Friday, September 5 – 8.

On the special web link launched this week, diabetes.org/hurricaneharvey, information is updated regularly to include the latest resources, including the Red Cross’s live map of open shelters; tips for how to advocate for yourself or a loved one with diabetes; recommendations on how to help someone with diabetes and signs of a diabetes emergency for caregivers and emergency personnel; a list of open pharmacies; and additional resources from partners on how to access or donate supplies and/or medications. Please check diabetes.org/hurricaneharvey regularly for updates.

Information and resources include:

Additional supplies are en route to arrive early next week, pending open and accessible roads, to continue to serve the region. As additional supplies are donated, the partners will continue to collaborate to get the supplies and medications where they are needed, especially since Hurricane Harvey has made a third landfall in Louisiana. The Endocrine Society has joined the partnership to help secure donations of critical supplies and medications, as well as to provide expert support for medical research in-progress that has been impacted by the storm.

During an emergency crisis 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[1]. Visit diabetes.org/hurricaneharvey for the latest information.

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[1] W Cefalu et. al. The Hurricane Katrina Aftermath and Its Impact on Diabetes Care. Diabetes Care 29:1, 158-160. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/29/1/158.

 

Contacts:

JDRF
media@jdrf.org

Michelle Kirkwood, 703-299-2053
mkirkwood@diabetes.org