Free Diabetes Supplies Available Tomorrow in Houston and Corpus Christi, Plus Extended Hours at 1-800-DIABETES Call Center Through Next Week

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The first shipment of more than 3,750 pounds of diabetes supplies, provided by the critical partnership of American Diabetes Association (ADA), JDRF, Insulin for Life (IFL USA), will arrive in the Houston area later today, Friday, September 1. As of this release, the supplies are expected to be available for public distribution tomorrow, Saturday, September 2, at the following locations:

• George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston
• NRG Center, Houston
• In Corpus Christi, beginning 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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to road closures and other unforeseen delivery challenges, the above locations and times may be updated on Saturday, September 2. Please check diabetes.org/hurricaneharvey for updates.

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:

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

On the special web link launched this week, diabetes.org/hurricaneharvey, information is being 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.

Information and resources include:

• How to donate dated & unopened diabetes supplies to Insulin for Life
• Live map of open shelters from the American Red Cross, or 1-800-733-2767
• Link to list of open pharmacies in the Houston area
• The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies has a hotline, 1-800-626-4949, to help people with disabilities and the elderly to safety and provide immediate needs of durable medical equipment and supplies
• Americares is providing emergency support and services
• List of Texas food banks
• Texas Health and Human Services – call 211 for assistance
• South Texas Blood and Tissue Center – to find a South Texas location to donate blood, call 210-731-5590
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and federal aid programs for Texas residents
• Department of HHS support services, HHS Disaster Distress Line 1-800-985-5990
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hurricane resources
• American Red Cross – for nationwide locations to donate blood or platelets

Additional supplies will arrive early next week, pending open and accessible roads, to serve the Houston, Austin and San Antonio communities. 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 hyperglycemia¹. Visit diabetes.org/hurricaneharvey for the latest information.

About the American Diabetes Association
Nearly half of American adults have diabetes or prediabetes; more than 30 million adults and children have diabetes; and every 21 seconds, another individual is diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association (Association) is the nation's leading voluntary health organization whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The Association drives discovery by funding research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, as well as to search for cures; raises voice to the urgency of the diabetes epidemic; and works to safeguard policies and programs that protect people with diabetes. In addition, the Association supports people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes, and the health care professionals who serve them through information and programs that can improve health outcomes and quality of life. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn). 

About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF.

About Insulin for Life
Insulin for Life USA (IFL USA) is a licensed, Florida-based non-profit that provides insulin and disease management supplies free of charge to people around the world with diabetes who lack access due to a variety of situations, most often due to severe financial limitations. They also distribute domestically to professional agencies within the U.S. in times of natural disaster. IFL USA collects unexpired/fresh dated, unopened supplies from individuals or organizations and, following careful inspection, delivers them to disadvantaged regions for distribution by medical professionals, free of charge, to those in need. This aid includes insulin vials, insulin pens and cartridges, test strips, blood glucose meters, glucagon kits, lancing devices and other diabetes management supplies. Since 2012, IFL USA has provided more than $9M worth of diabetes supplies to nearly 20 countries, all in an effort to provide hope to those living with diabetes worldwide. For more information, please visit ifl-usa.org or follow us on Facebook (Insulin for Life).

About the Endocrine Society
Endocrinologists are at the core of solving the most pressing health problems of our time, from diabetes and obesity to infertility, bone health, and hormone-related cancers. The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest and largest organization of scientists devoted to hormone research and physicians who care for people with hormone-related conditions. The Society has more than 18,000 members, including scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in 122 countries. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endocrine.org. Follow us on Twitter at @TheEndoSociety and @EndoMedia.

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.

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SOURCE American Diabetes Association