/PRNewswire/ -- Volunteers are urgently needed for a one-day, free health clinic in the Atlanta area this month that is expected to serve more than 1,000 uninsured Georgia residents.
"More than 18 percent of Georgia's non-elderly population is uninsured, demonstrating a great need for access to free medical services," National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux said. "In addition to providing needed medical services on the day of the event, this clinic is designed to connect the uninsured to ongoing medical resources."
The C.A.R.E. (Communities Are Responding Everyday) Clinic is scheduled for March 27 at the Georgia International Convention Center near Atlanta from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. It is sponsored by the NAFC and the Georgia Free Clinic Network (GFCN), which includes 18 free clinics around the state.
"Medical volunteers are urgently needed including doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, emergency medical technicians, medical administrators, licensed clinical social workers and more," GFCN Executive Director Donna Looper said. "We also need non-medical volunteers to help with documentation, logistical support, patient intake and translation, as well as to be patient greeters and escorts."
Volunteers can find out more information and register online at http://www.regonline.com/Atlanta_CARE_Clinic. Those interested in attending the clinic as a patient may call 1-877-233-5159 to make an appointment now.
"It is important to note that being uninsured is not the same as being unemployed," Lamoureux said. "About 83 percent of uninsured people have jobs. At past C.A.R.E. Clinics, we found that many of the patients worked at two or more jobs but did not receive health insurance benefits. Some even worked as nurses or for insurance companies but still did not have insurance themselves."
Dr. Craig Dietz, the Clinical Director of the Kansas City Free Clinic, has been a volunteer at all of the previous C.A.R.E. clinics that were held in Houston, New Orleans, Little Rock, Kansas City and Hartford. At these clinics over 7,000 uninsured people received free medical care. "Being involved in these clinics has been a rewarding experience," says Dr. Dietz. "We look forward to working with the Georgia community and adding to the approximately 7,000 previous C.A.R.E. clinic volunteers to help put on this important event."
About the National Association of Free Clinics:
The National Association of Free Clinics is the only nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of more than 1,200 free clinics and the people they serve in the United States.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is an effective advocate for the issues and concerns of free clinics, their volunteer workforce of doctors, dentists, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, technicians and other health care professionals, as well as the patients served by free clinics in communities throughout the nation.
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Showing posts with label free clinic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free clinic. Show all posts
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
BD and Direct Relief International Team Up to Provide Free Diabetes Insulin Injection Products to Americans Impacted by the Economic Downturn
/PRNewswire/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and Direct Relief International announced today the launch of a new nationwide program to help people with insulin-dependent diagnosed diabetes who have been affected by the current economic crisis to manage the disease. BD has pledged to donate 5 million insulin syringes and pen needles through Direct Relief to more than 1,000 community health center and free clinic partners nationwide.
"To avoid the debilitating and costly complications of diabetes, patients must effectively manage their conditions," said Linda Tharby, President, BD Medical - Diabetes Care. "Insulin injections often play a vital role in this daily effort, and BD believes that patients who have fallen on tough times should not forego this critical part of their treatment regimen. Direct Relief is a natural partner for BD to help ensure that these patients have access to insulin injection products."
The rise in unemployment has caused many people to lose their health insurance and thus their means to pay for insulin injection products. Direct Relief will work with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) to assist those who are struggling from the current economic crisis.
"Unfortunately, financial hardship may force many people in communities across America to sacrifice their own health to feed their families or keep roofs over their heads," said Direct Relief International President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Tighe. "Direct Relief and BD are combining forces to address these impossible choices for many people with diabetes, by providing a safety net during these difficult times."
In the United States, approximately 18 million people -- more than five percent of the population -- have diagnosed diabetes.(1) Since the economic crisis began in December 2007, more than 7.2 million Americans have lost their jobs, and 400,000 of these are estimated to have diabetes.(1,2) Many now lack health insurance and access to affordable medical care, and could be at risk for a number of serious, sometimes life-threatening complications if they fail to manage their diabetes effectively.(3)
Direct Relief and BD have worked together since 1996, helping people in developing countries and disaster-ravaged areas worldwide by supplying and delivering medical supplies to communities in greatest need.
Products will be available at participating clinics beginning August 10, 2009, subject to availability. For additional information, please visit www.bd.com/diabetesdonation or call 866-242-3275.
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"To avoid the debilitating and costly complications of diabetes, patients must effectively manage their conditions," said Linda Tharby, President, BD Medical - Diabetes Care. "Insulin injections often play a vital role in this daily effort, and BD believes that patients who have fallen on tough times should not forego this critical part of their treatment regimen. Direct Relief is a natural partner for BD to help ensure that these patients have access to insulin injection products."
The rise in unemployment has caused many people to lose their health insurance and thus their means to pay for insulin injection products. Direct Relief will work with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) to assist those who are struggling from the current economic crisis.
"Unfortunately, financial hardship may force many people in communities across America to sacrifice their own health to feed their families or keep roofs over their heads," said Direct Relief International President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Tighe. "Direct Relief and BD are combining forces to address these impossible choices for many people with diabetes, by providing a safety net during these difficult times."
In the United States, approximately 18 million people -- more than five percent of the population -- have diagnosed diabetes.(1) Since the economic crisis began in December 2007, more than 7.2 million Americans have lost their jobs, and 400,000 of these are estimated to have diabetes.(1,2) Many now lack health insurance and access to affordable medical care, and could be at risk for a number of serious, sometimes life-threatening complications if they fail to manage their diabetes effectively.(3)
Direct Relief and BD have worked together since 1996, helping people in developing countries and disaster-ravaged areas worldwide by supplying and delivering medical supplies to communities in greatest need.
Products will be available at participating clinics beginning August 10, 2009, subject to availability. For additional information, please visit www.bd.com/diabetesdonation or call 866-242-3275.
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www.fayettefrontpage.com
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