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If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies?
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I keep a few on hand in case they are needed, an older pump, basal insulin, syringes, …. The rest including other pumps and supplies have been donated to the hospital of my endocrinologist.
I would love to donate them but when I have asked endocrinologist and diabetic educators to give insulin and sensors to a patient who really can’t afford them, the professionals tell me they are not allowed to suggest drugs and supplies that came from storage that could not be verified. I also tried to do this with my rheumatologist for rheumatoid arthritis medication and was given the same no answer. Such a shame.
Current laws will dictate the shape of this graphic representation. If it’s acceptable, fine, so be it. If it’s not, then change your current political representation, not your individual behavior. I suspect, in this instance, that individual behavior matters little, even though I would individually give my eye teeth for a $750 bottle of insulin.
I have all the leftover parts now from my 670G and I have called Endocrinologist, JDRF, Charities. No one wants them. It is sad we throw so much away in this country but there are people in need. I am sure big pharma has mandated it.
I have given devices to a friend in a support group I attend. Opened or expired stuff I throw away. I gave a few pens of insulin to a relative using the same insulin. I have some unopened stuff I will donate to a diabetic camp if the camp accepts.
I have given supplies, if they are still within their use by date, to my local Diabetes Centre, who ensure that they are redistributed to other patients that need them.
Insulin for Life will take supplies for those in need.
I always give extra supplies to my endo practice to give to patients who could use them. For example, I don’t use a log book anymore, but some senior patients still prefer paper and pen to record readings. So my endo said “I am so glad to get these because I have requests all of the time for these books. I also donate diabetic magazines but you cannot give any RX in your name. Test strips do not have your name on the box, so those are OK for donation too.
Kept ’em. Because the Zombie Apocalypse could strike at any time, and you can’t be sure you’re not gonna need all that stuff. Including that ca. 1996 OneTouch.
I gave my old G4 Dexcom sensors (2 boxes) to a friend’s dad who was still using the G4. In the past, the Nurse Practitioner at my primary care physician’s office was also a pumper and I gave her my old pump supplies. I still have some extras, but she no longer works there anymore. Some of these responses are giving me some ideas as to where to send them.
I’ve given them to T1D friends who used the device still, asked the group leader of the Diabetic Divas, support group of T1D women, to ask if anyone can use them, if still no home I ask my CDE if she can find home for them. I’ve also given extra’s to the local doctor’s group that goes to Honduras several times a year, they now have a permeant building with a year round clinic.
I have supplies for the Animas pump but have been unable to find anyone that wants them.
Kept a few as backup. Donated extra to my endocrinologist to distribute to patients in need. Listed on community forum as free for anyone in need.
I asked my Endocrinologist who told me to toss them
I’ve saved some for “just in case” but could donate some other things. My endocrinologist office would not take them. I’ll try the divas that someone mentioned. It’s sad to throw supplies away that someone else needs when they are so expensive and hard to get sometimes.
The first time I had extra supplies was before the pandemic. I was able to give them to a charitable organization. When I recently had more insulin because my prescription changed I went to the same organization they refused the insulin because of the pandemic. The vials were completely sealed with excellent expiration dates. My daughter had a friend who was having trouble with the expense of insulin so he was quite happy to get the insulin.
I kept my Cozmo along with a month supply of disposables, I have a BNIB MM630g and 2 months of supplies but when I stopped using the MM I donated the 29 months or so of extra supplies I had left squirreled away. When I switched over from the OmniPod Eros to the Dash, I kept them for 5 months then gave them ALL away, kept none. I am soon to be giving away all the Medtronic supplies as well (pump included which is brand new in a sealed box.. DO NOT ASK ME FOR IT!! I will tell you no)..
The diabetes education center where I used to work as a CDE accepted donated supplies unopened and in their original sealed packaging with an unexpired expiration date to pass on to Doctors Without Borders or given directly to patients in need. For awhile old Medtronic Revel pumps were being sought after by patients seeking older model pump parts to make their own loop system with a Riley link. We kept a current list of folks requesting supplies and notified those on the list if, and when, we had such a donation.
In the past I’ve donated insulin , meters and strips to Insulin for Life. Before the pandemic I donated meters and strips to a community senior center and Animas pump and G5 Dexcom supplies to people I’ve met through online groups.
Is there an organization that takes them? I’ve given a couple of individual sealed infusion sets and insert devices to my CDE but would love it if T1D would post organizations to take unused products to give to others who can’t afford them
I tried to give away 3 BOXES of dexcom 5 sensors. Only got 1 response from someone who sounded a bit fishy. Wish there was a good place to donate them!
I gave an extra glucose meter and strips to a friend whose cat had been diagnosed with diabetes. Their ears are used for getting the blood sample and she said that it didn’t bother him at all. 😉
I share with a friend when I get a new meter I give him my old one with strips and lancet device and lancets he can’t afford insurance so it helps him out and when the doctor changed his insulin he gave me that it was the same I used so it didn’t go to the trash