Many more companies, people, and organizations out there today recognize the need for diabetics to be able to have all that they need in order to safely manage their diabetes. That’s part of the reason that more and more places have started offering free diabetes supplies to those who need them.

If you have unused, unexpired diabetic supplies that you don’t need, don’t discard them. There are several ways you can easily donate your diabetic supplies to other people.

If you have switched to a new device or new medication, you may have diabetic supplies that you no longer need. Diabetic supplies can be quite expensive and some people may not be able to afford them.

Therefore, it can feel like a waste to throw away supplies such as needles, teat strips, CGM devices, and insulin vials especially when many people are unable to live healthy lives because they cannot access or afford the medication and devices they need.

The good news is that you can touch and improve lives by donating unused diabetic supplies to people who need them.

It is essential to note that the supplies you donate should be unopened and unused. Most organizations do not accept donations that have expired or are unsealed.

Diabetic supplies can be expensive and hard to come by

In a perfect world, every diabetes patient would have easy access to the diabetic supplies and medication they need to manage their condition and live comfortable, healthy lives. Unfortunately, we are living in a time where the affordability and access of diabetic supplies is restricted. Although some strategies have been adopted to combat the high cost of diabetic supplies, there is still room for improvement.

Some of the common barriers that make it almost impossible for a huge percentage of diabetes patients to access diabetic supplies include:

• Lack of education on proper management of diabetes
• High cost of glucose test strips and insulin
• No home refrigeration
• Insufficient resources for proper diabetes care

These high entry barriers make it extremely difficult for lower-income families and individuals to receive the supplies they need to take proper care of themselves or their loved ones. That is why it is important to donate any unused diabetic supplies that you don’t need. You can easily donate unused supplies to many organizations looking to get pens, insulin vials, cartridges, and more for people that need them.

How Can You donate diabetic supplies?

     1. Gather your supplies

The first step in donating diabetic supplies is to gather all of your unused, unexpired supplies. Each organization has its own unique criteria. However, most organizations will accept diabetic supplies such as:

• Insulin vials
• Insulin pens
• Glucagon
• Lancing devices
• Pen needles, Glucose meters
• Lancets
• Glucose strips
• Syringes
• Insulin cartridges
• A1c test kits

After gathering all your leftover diabetic supplies, double-check to ascertain that they have not expired and are still sealed.

Where Can You Donate Diabetic Supplies?

     2. Find an organization to donate to

The second step is to find a trusted organization to donate to. Various great organizations are ready to accept unused supplies and ensure people who need them actually get them.

These organizations include:

• Integrated Diabetes Service (IDS)

Integrated Diabetes Service collects diabetic supplies such as insulin pumps, insulin pump supplies, current CGM supplies, and insulin. They then give these supplies to diabetes patients in the United States and worldwide.

• Insulin for Life (IFL)

This is a renowned non-profit organization that specializes in collecting unused diabetic supplies and delivering them to people who don’t have access to the supplies and treatments they need to manage their diabetes. IFL accepts all of the diabetic supplies listed above.

• CR3 Diabetes Association

CR3 focuses on providing affordable diabetic supplies and devices (insulin pumps, pump supplies, test strips, and glucose meters) to diabetes patients around the world. The organization currently accepts unexpired insulin pump supplies, glucose test strips, Guardian3 sensors, and Medtronic insulin pumps – 530G (models 751 and 551), 670G, and 630G.

• SafeNetRx

SafeNexRx mainly collects and redistributes diabetic supplies to people with diabetes living in Iowa. It currently accepts unexpired and sealed glucose test strips, unexpired lancets, needles, and syringes. SafeNetRx distributes diabetic supplies and devices to Iowans that are uninsured, underinsured, or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

The bottom-line

Donating unused, unexpired diabetic supplies is a good way of changing lives by helping people who can afford or access the much-needed medications and supplies to manage their diabetes. The diabetes community continues to display strength and generosity by supporting each other with everything from diabetic supplies to critical diabetes information. There’s hope that someday everyone will diabetes will be able to afford and access everything they need to live a healthy life.

Be sure to read the specifics for mailing and donating instructions for the organization you want to donate to.