Insulin for Life USA (IFL USA) is a non-profit organization based in the United States that provides diabetes medications and supplies to individuals with diabetes in developing countries who would otherwise go without them. It was founded in 2012 and is an IRS designated 501(C)(3) charitable organization. IFL USA is affiliated with other Insulin for Life centers throughout the world.
Insulin for Life USA is headquartered in Gainesville, Florida. Type 1 diabetes researcher Mark Atkinson serves as the organization's President, and his wife, Carol, serves as Program Coordinator. Francine Kaufman, an internationally recognized endocrinologist, serves as Vice President.
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Mission and goals
The mission of Insulin for Life USA is to collect in-date and unneeded diabetes medications and supplies, including insulin and blood glucose test strips, and distribute them in developing countries to individuals with diabetes who would otherwise go without them. The organization also provides similar relief to individuals with diabetes in the United States in the aftermath of natural disasters.
The stated goal for Insulin for Life USA is to overcome the global problem of lack of access to insulin. The organization cites over 90,000 children with type 1 diabetes from more than 70 countries who lack access to the insulin they need for proper care and survival.
According to an article published in the journal Diabetes Care and co-authored by the organization's President, Dr. Mark Atkinson, lack of access to insulin is one of the most common causes of death for children with diabetes throughout the developing world. Insulin for Life USA is one of a number of global organizations and leaders seeking a means to provide insulin to 100 percent of the world's population who need it by 2022 (the 100-year-anniversary of the availability of insulin therapy for people with diabetes).
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Activities and operations
Insulin for Life USA operates globally, providing diabetes medication and supplies to people in need throughout the world. It collects in-date and unneeded supplies from donors in the United States, including insulin vials, insulin pens, insulin cartridges, HbA1c test kits, ketone testing sticks, glucagon, glucose meters, glucose test strips, syringes, pen needles, and lancets.
The organization distributes supplies globally through clinics and healthcare providers. Importantly, it does not provide supplies and medications directly to individuals. Potential recipients must go through a formal application process, and Insulin for Life USA personnel or associates often make personal visits to verify that the supplies are going to people in need.
Due to restrictions on distributing medical supplies in the United States, Insulin for Life USA typically provides supplies to recipients in other countries. Exceptions include times of crisis, such as natural disasters, when Insulin for Life USA has authorization to provide supplies to appropriate organizations tasked with distribution to those with diabetes in regions that have been affected.
Accomplishments
Insulin for Life USA currently has standing partnerships to distribute diabetes medications and supplies to those in need in five countries: Ghana, Haiti, India (two sites), Nigeria, and the Philippines. The organization also sent aid to eight additional countries in 2012 and 2013. During that time period, Insulin for Life USA accepted donations of and distributed over 25,000 milliliters of insulin.
Insulin for Life USA has also successfully provided emergency shipments of diabetes medications and supplies to areas impacted by wars and natural disasters. IFL USA sent a shipment of aid to Cebu City in the Philippines in the aftermath of the extensive damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. It also sent a supply of insulin, syringes, glucose test strips, and meters to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2013 in the midst of the civil war taking place there.
Partners and supporters
Insulin for Life USA partners with a number of other organizations throughout the world to provide diabetes medications and supplies to people in need. It is part of the global affiliation of Insulin for Life organizations, the original of which was founded in Australia in 1986 by Ron Raab. Other affiliated Insulin for Life organizations operate in Austria, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
A number of other "sister organizations" throughout the world have continual cooperative agreements to work with Insulin for Life USA. These include Life for a Child, HOPE Worldwide, the Australian Diabetes Council, the International Diabetes Federation, the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD), AYUDA, and the International Insulin Federation.
Insulin for Life USA also receives financial support from other diabetes-related foundations and organizations. In 2014, the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust provided IFL USA with a $120,000 grant to strengthen staff and organizational infrastructure. The Diabetes Hands Foundation also provided a Big Blue Test grant to Insulin for Life USA in 2012 to develop an emergency store of diabetes supplies.
Key people
A volunteer board of directors sets the mission and goals for Insulin for Life USA. Mark Atkinson, Ph.D. serves as the organization's President. Atkinson is a type 1 diabetes researcher at the University of Florida, where he is a Professor of Pathology and Eminent Scholar for Diabetes Research. Francine Kaufman, MD, serves as IFL USA's Vice President. Kaufman is an endocrinologist who is currently Chief Medical Officer of diabetes at Medtronic.
Atkinson's wife, Carol, serves as Program Coordinator for Insulin for Life USA and oversees many of its day-to-day activities. Carol Atkinson is responsible for the program's operations, including the logistics of accepting donated medications and supplies and ensuring they reach their intended recipients.
Other board members of Insulin for Life USA include Neil Donnelan; Les Jebson, MHA; Alicia Jenkins, MD; Neal Kaufman, MD; Desmond Schatz, MD; and Marie Schiller. All participate out of their desire to help those with diabetes in need.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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