Update: Diabetes Care and Supplies Available in Houston and San Antonio, Plus Extended Hours at 1-800-DIABETES Call Center

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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) and the Endocrine Society arrived in the Houston area early this morning. Diabetes supplies are available to provide care for people with diabetes at the following locations:

• George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston
• NRG Center, Houston
• In San Antonio, starting Saturday Afternoon, September 2, after 1 p.m. CT, at the Harland Clarke Shelter, 5003 Stout, San Antonio, Texas 78219.

Health professionals at each site have the supplies to meet the critical diabetes care needs of those who have been displaced due to Hurricane Harvey.

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.

Please check diabetes.org/hurricaneharvey for current information, including the latest resources, such as 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-RED-CROSS
• 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
• Department of HHS support services, HHS Disaster Distress Line 1-800-985-5990
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hurricane resources

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.

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.

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.

SOURCE American Diabetes Association

Related Links

http://www.diabetes.org