The High Costs of Diabetes Kills: RIP, Shane Patrick Boyle

Shane Patrick Boyle has been on my mind and in my heart since last Thursday. 
I've reached out to Shane's cousin on Facebook, but haven't heard from her yet - she's got a lot on her plate. 
Still, I wanted to post the story so that we could help Shane's family - and to prevent this from happening to another person. 
Nobody should die in the United States, or in any other country because they lack the funds to pay for insulin, or don't have access to insulin.
#DiabetesAccessMatters #insulin4all

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This is Shane Patrick Boyle.

RIP: Shane Patrick Boyle
This is the link to Shane’s Obituary.
Cause of death: He couldn't afford his insulin.

From all accounts, Shane Patrick Boyle was a gifted writer and graphic artist, founder of ZineFest, Houston, a good son and brother, a kind and gentle man with tremendous talent and a giving heart - and his artwork reflected his kind and gentle spirit.

Update: 3/30/17 - This afternoon, Shane's cousin Hannah sent me 
the above illustration and a snapshot
 of his facebook profile below.
She felt both were true representations of Shane's spirit and talent.
The family feels that Shane, who always fought for the underdog,
 would be honored to leave a legacy of motivating others to fight for 
change ~ 

This is the link to Shane’s Go-Fund-Me for insulin, which has now become his G0-Fund-Me account for funeral expenses - for Shane and his mother. 

Shane passed on March 18th, and according to his Go-Fund-Me Page, "Shane died because he was trying to stretch out his life saving insulin to make it last longer."

Shane moved back home to help take care of his sick mom, Judith (she died on March 11th,) and his healthcare was put on the line. 
Because he moved, Shane lost his Rx benefits, was between doctors and needed insulin for his type 1 diabetes. Shane was waiting for his ACA status to be approved and was stretching out his insulin until he had enough money to pay for his insulin, and see a doctor to prescribe prescriptions. 

I didn't know Shane in real life or online, but I do know that In 2017, no one should die because they can't afford insulin or diabetes supplies- Not a single person.  

In 2017, nobody in the United States should have to set up a GoFundMe account for insulin, but to date, 9,242 people have. 
UPDATE: As of 4/10/17, Go-Fund-Me has 6017 campaigns for the search term,"diabetes," and 6017 campaigns for the search term, "insulin."  

My heart breaks for Shane and his family and I am so fucking angry!

Most of us are are so lucky to be in the know, to have a computer or smart phone at our fingertips, to have others who understand, can relate, and can help us when we are need of diabetes supplies. 

I don't know if Shane was aware (-and even if he was, he might not have had the funds to do so,) that he could purchase Regular, NPH, and 70/30 at Walmart and sans RX and for $25 per bottle.
Yes, antiquated insulins and far from efficient, but they most likely would have kept him alive.  
Sidebar: Starting in May, CVS will offer  Novolin R and Novolin N and Novolin 70/30 for $25, per 10ml bottle and without a prescription. 

I don’t know if Shane knew of Insulin Companies assistance programs (Lilly, NovoNordisk, Sanofi), and other diabetes related assistance programs.

But those lifesaving programs require paperwork and time to be vetted.

Unfortunately, Shane ran out of time.  

Shane's insulin was off patent, still cost a fortune without insurance - and in many cases with insurance.
Insulin prices have increased exponentially and across the board, every quarter since 2002.
Insurance Companies and the middlemen increase the price of insulins and other drugs  because they see dollar signs and people with diabetes pay the price, financially and in some cases, with their lives. 

Around the world people with diabetes are dying because they don't have access to life saving insulin.

In the United States of America, people with diabetes are dying because while they have access to insulin at every drugstore, they can't afford the cost of the the insulin they require to stay alive.
Click HERE for a breakdown of diabetes costs around the globe.

It's beyond wrong - it’s fucked up - and it must stop.
America, WE DESERVE AND DEMAND BETTER. 

I don’t know if Shane was aware that the Diabetes Online Community existed or that there were various facebook groups like the non-profit, Type 1 Diabetics Pay It Forward, where people with diabetes give/trade with those in need, or organizations like Insulin4All - that could have helped him. 
I take it Shane didn't know that the HelpAround app for people with diabetes existed, 
but I wish with all my heart that he did

I know that if the DOC knew of Shane's struggle, we would have done our best to help Shane because we’ve all been where Shane stood. 
All  of us have received and given help to other people with diabetes in need.

When I learned of Shane's fate, I cried myself to sleep - I also sent some of my contacts at insulin companies, insurance companies, and la makers links to Shane’s go-fund-me page - and his obituary. 

And I suggest you do the same. 

Join The American Diabetes Association and sign the petition to make insulin affordable.

Advocate and call your lawmakers - your voice matters, so make use it and make noise!
 Help Shane’s family pay for his funeral (any funds leftover will go towards a diabetes charity for those who struggled like Shane. 
Attend the national/your local March For Health on April 1. 
I’ll be marching in NYC and I'm one of the speakers and I will be sharing Shane's story. 
All of us need to fight like hell and put a stop to this madness!

In a few weeks I'll be attending an Insulin Access Workshop held by Lilly Diabetes.  
A group of Diabetes Advocates will be sitting across the table from Pharma - and you can be damn sure that I/we will telling Shane's story to those at the table!