Diabetes Community Provided Lifeline in Aftermath of LA Fires

During the LA wildfires, some residents evacuated with only the supplies they had on hand. A new short film shows how organizers collected supplies to support them.

When wildfires overtook parts of Los Angeles, residents like Abbott Krieger couldn't return home to retrieve vital diabetes supplies. Krieger, a retired neurosurgeon, was turned away by emergency responders as he neared his house in Pacific Palisades and had only the insulin in his pump. When he called his pharmacy to get more, he was told he'd have to wait three weeks.

Luckily, a group effort spurred by LA resident Laura Pavlakovich, who has type 1 diabetes, helped mobilize a community of volunteers to collect and deliver urgently needed medical supplies to those who had evacuated. 

"People who had extra supplies from all over the country stepped up to share with those who had nothing. Volunteers coordinated drop-offs and pick-ups to make sure supplies got to where they were needed," said Pavlakovich, who heads You're Just My Type, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mental health needs of people living with type 1 diabetes.

"Our platform was already being used as a space where people could ask for supplies in times of need and where others with extras could share what they had," Pavlakovich said. "When the fires happened and the situation became dire, it was natural that the same kind of support system would take shape but on a much larger scale."

You can watch a new short documentary below, which tells the story of the relief effort. The video was funded by Medtronic and produced by Justin Eastze of Diabetech and diaTribe's Spoonful of Laughter.

Even after the fires, LA residents with diabetes will still need support as they cope with displacement, financial strain, and ongoing disruptions of their healthcare and supplies, Pavlakovich said. 

"We’re continuing to hold free events where people with diabetes can come together, share their experiences, and find that sense of connection that’s so vital in times of crisis," she said. "The outpouring of generosity from the community has also ensured that ongoing support remains available for those who need it."

Read more stories of overcoming diabetes challenges and how to help people in crisis here: 

• Be Prepared: Surviving Natural Disasters with Diabetes
• Beyond the Superhero Narrative: Bravery, Determination, and Resilience When You Have Diabetes
• Diabetes Care During Armed Conflict

Photo: Laura Pavlakovich and Liz Van Voorhis sort diabetes supplies. Donations arrived from people in 35 states across the U.S.