Katrina: Chronically Ill Evacuees

[Coastie for Truth]

E-Mail from American Diabetes Association

September 5, 2005

Special Announcement
from Larry Smith, Chair of the Board & Lynn Nicholas, CEO

The volunteers and staff of the American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and extend their thoughts and prayers to all those who have been affected by the tragedy.

In order to meet the critical need of restoring health care to communities affected by the hurricane, the organizations will jointly contribute $1 million to the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund to help get hospitals, health care systems and the patient support services in the devastated areas up and running again. The organizations hope that their support will help ensure that those patients who have diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or who suffer strokes will continue to receive the quality health care they need during this crisis and beyond.

The organizations decided to make this contribution based on the reports about damage to many health care facilities, depletion of drugs and medical supplies, the increasing demands on health care systems from patients requiring immediate medical attention, as well as the need for ongoing access to care over the long-term. In addition, all three of the organizations have volunteers and staff in the region who are working to restore and continue the patient services and programs that help those suffering from these chronic diseases.

Our citizens along the Gulf Coast are already disproportionately affected by diabetes so it is critical that we take immediate action to restore health care to prevent any further deterioration to the health status of a population that was already in danger. There are immediate health care needs, but we also need to be prepared to address the significant long-term health needs that these people will face over the next few days, weeks, and months.

Although the organizations do not ordinarily provide funding for relief of natural disasters, the complete devastation by Hurricane Katrina of individuals, communities, and health care systems is unprecedented in recent history. Therefore, the organizations felt compelled to provide immediate assistance. ADA has set up a special area on diabetes.org to provide updated information on the Hurricane Katrina relief and a link for donating to the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund.

For more information on how to support these efforts please visit http://diabetes.org/hurricane-katrina.jsp>

Do Not PM me - I will be working "12 hours on/12 hours off" in a Red Cross Shelter for Katrinia evacuees who have been relocated to the SF Bay Area - address all questions to http://diabetes.org/hurricane-katrina.jsp>

[joneschick]

1. thanks for the link and kick in the butt!

my brother recently died of diabetic complications.