NEW FUND HELPS ENSURE BETTER HEALTH FOR LOW-INCOME DIABETICS

From the viewpoint of a long-time diabetic who is blessed with excellent health care, I understand that medication, diet and exercise are all essential to my health. There is another component, however, that is just as important: blood glucose testing. Without adequate testing, my health will likely suffer despite the best medications and lifestyle. The Diabetes Wellness Fund helps ensure that diabetics who cannot afford testing supplies get them to help them maintain good health.

I have been diabetic for twenty-seven years, most of them with health insurance, but some without. Since having diabetes is expensive, there were extended periods of time that I did not test as I should have because I had to choose between paying for medication or testing supplies. For me, the results are permanent nerve damage, gastrointestinal disorders and a lessened ability to sense how high or low my blood glucose is at any particular moment. These health problems could have gotten much worse for me before I returned to regular testing, and for less fortunate diabetics, they still may.

For low- income and uninsured diabetics there are additional factors affecting their health, especially stress. Add excessive stress on a diabetic and the need for testing becomes even more critical. Stress is a terrible force on anyone’s body, but for a diabetic, excessive stress causes wild fluctuations in blood glucose. It is absolutely necessary to test during great distress.

Please join me, Virgil Bowman, along with other Diabetes Wellness Fund donors in supporting the health of diabetics. By contributing you will have immediate and lasting impact on the community in which you live. Perhaps, even someone you know or love.

Donate here via paypal or send check or money order to:
Coalition of Community Health Clinics
Diabetes Wellness Fund
619 SW 11th Ave., Suite 225
Portland, OR 97205

All donations are tax deductible and will be used for diabetes supply purchases for low-income, uninsured patients.