providing basic supplies to patients living in homelessness and poverty with diabetes
“Prior to having these donations from the Chris Dudley Foundation, many of our patients were simply not testing. Now we are able to give these glucometers on the spot and provide our patients with education on testing prior to them leaving the clinic... There is no doubt that these donations have impacted our practice and our patients in the most positive ways. ”
What is Test Don’t Guess
Since 2017, the Test Don’t Guess Outreach Program has been providing basic medical supplies to those living in poverty and homelessness with Diabetes in the Portland, Oregon area. Chris Dudley often says, “Test don’t guess”, encouraging those living with Diabetes to check their blood sugar more often to practice healthy management. A recent study show that Oregon has the 4th highest rate of homelessness in America. It is also estimated the homeless population has a higher rate of diabetes than that of the general population. Many of these patients do not have access to the most basic, critical supplies needed to properly care for this condition. Test Don’t Guess is designed to help fill the need in this population. Through medical distribution centers, those in need will receive a kit including supplies such as glucometers, test strips, and tools to keep their practices sanitary. Doctors and facilitators at distributions centers aid in ensuring that patients know how to use the tools they are given. Together, this enables patients to better care for themselves.
What is in a Kit?
Each Test Don’t Guess kit includes a glucometer, test strips, a lancing device and replacement lancets, sanitary wipes, cotton balls, fast-acting hypoglycemia treatments, medical IDs and protective socks.
Patients who use all of the supplies in the kit may receive a refill kit in order to sustain the consumable supplies such as test strips, replacement lancets, and hypoglycemia treatments.
DISTRIBUITION SITES
Test don’t guess is made possible by our supporters & partners
