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

 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.
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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, Houstona good son and brother, a kind and gentle man with tremendous talent and a giving heart. 

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, Shirley (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. 

In 2017, no one should die because they can't afford insulin or diabetes supplies- Not a single person.  

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

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.
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, yet it still costs 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.

I don’t know if Shane was aware of the Diabetes Online Community and 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 -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,  sign the petition to make insulin affordable
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 at the NYC March,) and fight like hell so this can’t happen again.


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

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