Shea's Story:

On October 7th, 2021, (Alyssa) Shea Curtis passed away from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), at the young age of 28. For so many, it felt like the world was robbed of one of the greatest people to ever exist. She was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt, friend, and so much more.

While she was busy being one of the utmost uplifting beings to exist on this planet, she also had to master a tough balance quite early in life. At age 12, Shea was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. While she fought her hardest to survive this unavoidable diagnosis, the world lost countless beautiful notes that unforgettable day in October.

The Future:

Her story is similar to countless others with this diagnosis, in that the cost associated with care is extremely unaffordable for anyone. Countless people struggle to accrue these funds, just so that they can simply stay alive. This is where Shea Saves comes in, striving and fighting to take a step towards a brighter future for everyone struggling with diabetes.

Diabetes has been one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States for many years. In 2020, it ranked #8 and was 14.8% higher than in 2019. While many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, those with diabetes are suffering even more financially. The medical costs associated with diabetes have continued to rise over the years, totaling in now at around $800 monthly. Healthcare costs for Americans with diabetes is 2.3 times greater than it is for those without. While health insurance can cut down on some costs, care is still more than most can afford. These prices aren’t even taking into consideration the indirect costs associated with having diabetes.

The side effects of diabetes alone make job attendance and productivity extremely difficult. With all of these factors in consideration, most diabetic patients are left feeling like all the odds are against them. The medical and indirect costs associated with diabetes are far higher than most can maintain, resulting in dangerous measures being taken just to simply stay alive. A recent study found that 1 in 4 diabetics are rationing their insulin because of how high treatment costs are. At a certain point, we all need to ask ourselves, “what can be done to end these preventable tragedies?”

Shea Saves will do anything to be a sign of hope that far less lives will be lost to diabetes. Every donation made will directly go towards the purchasing of supplies for diabetic patients in need. It’s that simple. Whether it be syringes, needles, test kits, pumps, and so much more… every dollar will count. So many lives will finally have the potential to actually live life to the fullest. Shea Saves is also getting involved in community outreach, contacting healthcare providers to set up programs for collecting unused supplies that would otherwise be wasted.

To decrease the number of diabetics without the resources they need to survive

I need help achieving a 501c3 status