Abdulkadir’s Story: From Wasting Away to Working His Farm Again

In a small village in Somalia, Abdulkadir, a devoted farmer and family man, was battling a mysterious illness. Once strong from working his coconut and mango farm, his body began to waste away. He lost so much weight that he dropped to just 86 pounds (39 kg), a shadow of his former self. His family watched helplessly, hearts heavy with worry, as his health rapidly declined.

But then, hope arrived. With the support of Insulin for Life USA and the dedication of IFL USA’s medical partners on the ground, Abdulkadir was finally diagnosed with diabetes. Without delay, he was started on a life-saving regimen of both short-acting and long-acting insulin.

The transformation was remarkable. Within just five months, Abdulkadir began to regain his strength and vitality. He gained weight, his energy returned, and little by little, he reclaimed his health. Today, he is back on his farm, tending to his beloved trees, and once again providing for his family.

Insulin for Life USA continues to be a lifeline for Abdulkadir. Every three months, he receives the insulin he needs, ensuring his continued well-being. The generosity of IFL USA donors has not only saved Abdulkadir’s life but has also brought stability and hope back to his entire family.

Thank you, Insulin for Life USA community, for making such a profound difference.

FROM CARLA IN PANAMA

Pilar Gómez, Founder of DiabetesLATAM, shared with Insulin for Life USA how donated pump supplies are sustaining children in Panama , including  Carla, who is featured in this video.

In 2022, several children received insulin pumps through a one-time government initiative. When the administration changed, the program ended, and families were left without the financial means to purchase the ongoing supplies required to continue therapy. Many of these households are led by single mothers already balancing enormous responsibilities.

Through the partnership between Insulin for Life USA and DiabetesLATAM, pump supplies continue to reach these families, allowing children like Carla to safely remain on life-changing treatment and move forward with confidence and hope.

INTERNATIONAL PARTNER HIGHLIGHT: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Dr. Albert at the Kivu Diabetes Center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo relays: “I have just experienced a truly miraculous day since the beginning of our program, and I would like to share it with you. My patients asked me to convey their heartfelt gratitude to Insulin for life.

For me personally, it is the very first time I can work under such good conditions as a doctor — prescribing treatment without the fear of hypoglycemia or the anxiety that my patients might not have access to insulin or glucometer. How wonderful this is!

Today, Binja, a 15-year-old adolescent, offered me a heartfelt gift of avocados she had picked herself from her village as a token of gratitude after receiving insulin, a glucometer, glucose tablets, and vials. She said, “God bless all the donors.” I do not know if you believe in God, but her words touched me deeply. There was also Mugisho, who came with his parents today; their joy was beyond words. I am also sharing with you a picture of Binja’s gift, as well as a picture of Mugisho and myself, so you can feel the hope and happiness your support brings.

Really, thank you — and thank you again — for all you are doing for children living with diabetes around the world.

With gratitude.”

USA PARTNER HIGHLIGHT: HELP A DIABETIC CHILD (HADC)

Shared with IFL by Joe and Tami Balavage, Co-Founders of Help A Diabetic Child (HADC)

Since 2012, HADC has provided insulin, supplies, and medical care to uninsured and underserved children and young adults living with type 1 diabetes. In partnership with IFL USA, HADC plays a vital role in emergency response—especially during Florida’s hurricane season—delivering life-saving insulin to those in crisis.

HOP ON A VIDEO TOUR WITH OUR PARTNER HOPE FOR HAITI

Hope for Haiti has been an IFL USA partner since  2023. Together we serve  140 people on a  quarterly basis

When commercial flights into Haiti were suspended at the end of 2024, IFL USA and Hope for Haiti needed to pivot to get vital aid into the country. An innovative solution was found through a partnership with a private flight company, allowing for consistent shipments of insulin and supplies without disruption.

HOPE IN THE MIDST OF DISPLACEMENT

Living in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Somalia, Abdi’s diabetes became a life-threatening battle. Gaps in insulin supply left him weak, confused, and slipping into repeated comas—eventually forcing him to leave school.

Through Insulin for Life USA’s partner clinic in Somalia, Abdi began receiving a steady supply of both short-acting and long-acting insulin. With consistent treatment, his strength returned.

Today, Abdi is back in school, working, and volunteering to support his family—proof that reliable access to insulin doesn’t just save lives, it restores futures.

INTERNATIONAL PARTNER HIGHLIGHT: DIABETES LATAM FOUNDATION, PANAMA

Vida para la Diabetes is a program run by Diabetes LATAM, Panama in close collaboration with Insulin for Life USA and other local partners. Through this initiative, Diabetes LATAM currently provides treatment, education, and ongoing support to 350 young people living with type 1 diabetes, including 30 Medtronic pump users who receive regular follow-up and education from a Medtronic diabetes educator. When a government-led program promoting diabetes technology was interrupted, Diabetes LATAM was determined not to leave these families without care. Thanks to the generosity and long-standing partnership of Insulin for Life, continuity of care and access to essential supplies have been maintained. As Pilar Gómez, Director of the Diabetes LATAM Foundation, shared, “this partnership has made a meaningful difference in the lives of these families… Thank you for your trust and ongoing support.”

DOMESTIC PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: PUMP AVENUE FOUNDATION

Pump Avenue Foundation and IFL USA have launched a joint campaign to expand global access to insulin and diabetes supplies while reducing medical waste. Led by Harvard students, Pump Avenue Foundation brings a focus on insulin pump access that aligns with Insulin For Life USA’s mission to ensure life-saving diabetes care reaches people in need worldwide, including in the U.S.

U.S. endocrinologists, diabetes educators, healthcare professionals, and members of the public are invited to join the campaign. By sharing this initiative with patients, colleagues, and networks, small actions can have a global impact.

A LIFE TRANSFORMED IN SOMALIA

A seventeen-year-old spent years battling a condition he didn’t fully understand. Misdiagnosed and placed on the wrong treatment, his health worsened. He was told to seek care outside of Somalia, something far beyond his family’s means. He dropped out of school and lost hope.

But everything changed when he arrived at one of our partner hospitals in Somalia. Under the care of Dr. Osama and his team, the young man was correctly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He was immediately started on insulin and his life began to turn around.

Today, he receives the insulin and supplies he needs free of charge, feels healthy, has returned to school, and has regained his confidence and hope for the future.

Thanks to generosity of our donors, Insulin for Life USA is able to provide life-saving insulin and diabetes management tools to partners like this hospital in Somalia, ensuring that young people like him don’t just survive, but thrive. Thank you for being part of this life-changing work.

Regaining Control: A Story from the Cayman Islands

For more than two years, this remarkable woman has been a beneficiary of Insulin for Life USA’s support in the Cayman Islands. Without access to the supplies she needed, she was on the brink of requiring dialysis.

Thanks to the timely provision of Humalog and Levemir insulin, along with a glucometer, test strips, lancets, and Novofine needles, she has been able to regain control of her health. Today, her blood sugar levels are well managed, her kidney function has improved, and her condition is stable.

Her story from the Cayman Islands is a powerful reminder of how access to essential diabetes supplies can change – and even save – lives.

THE QUIET POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS  – IFL USA DELIVERS A1C KITS TO SIERRA LEONE

Sometimes it really does take a village. We have all heard the phrase and this time, IFL USA experienced it firsthand. Picture a generous sizable donation of A1C test kits from Trivia Health intended for Help Madina Charity in Sierra Leone. A powerful gift but there was one missing link: shipping the kits across the ocean. That’s when Help Madina reached out to their partner – IFL USA. We stepped in, navigating logistics, leveraging our relationship with a shipping partner to reduce costs, and racing against time to deliver the kits in time. It was not too late for this patient who had suffered in silence for four years. Hear her story…

TWO MONTHS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

When Daniel first arrived at our partner clinic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he was in diabetic ketoacidosis. He was exhausted, dangerously dehydrated, and so weak he could no longer lift even a 5-liter container. He told the medical team he was waking up to urinate more than five times each night and felt too fatigued to work or care for himself.

Thanks to the insulin and ketone strips provided through Insulin for Life USA, the team was able to quickly diagnose, stabilize, and begin treating him. The change that followed was nothing short of extraordinary.

In the first photo, taken on September 5th, 2025, Daniel’s health was hanging by a thread. But only two months later, on November 7th, he looked like a different person. He had already regained 5.7 kilograms, his nighttime urination had dropped to zero or one, and he had the energy to return to his normal activities and to return to work. Most importantly, he began to believe in his future again.

Dr. Albert, our dedicated partner in the DRC, shared: “I had only seen such transformations in medical textbooks. Now, thanks to Insulin for Life USA, I am witnessing them with my own eyes.”

EVERY MILE, EVERY RIVER, EVERY LIFELINE

In Makeni, Sierra Leone, a 39-year-old Mohamed is alive today because of the insulin and glucose monitoring supplies provided by IFL USA. Mohamed’s life has not been easy. After losing his left leg to gangrene caused by an injury, and his sight in one eye, he still travels long distances to reach the diabetes clinic at the Holy Spirit Hospital. His journey includes a scooter ride, a crowded bus, and even crossing a river but it’s a trip he must make. Without insulin, he would not survive. Thanks to the compassion and generosity of supporters like you, Mohamed continues to receive the care he needs. Your donations are more than supplies — they are lifelines that bring hope and health to people around the world. THANK YOU!

A SAFE PLACE IN THE STORM

When life threw Sallimatu her hardest storm, the Holy Spirit Diabetes Unit, supported by Insulin for Life USA, became her shelter. After her type 1 diabetes diagnosis, her husband abandoned her, insulin became unaffordable, and a mismanaged ulcer cost her a leg. We met her at her lowest, when amputation was the only option, and the Unit stepped in with dignity, compassion, and urgent care. Today, with one foot, she’s rebuilding her life with regular support and the insulin and supplies we provide. On World Diabetes Day, she was recognized as one of our diabetes heroes, a testament to resilience, community, and why your support matters.

WORDS OF GRATITUDE TO THE IFL USA COMMUNITY

May the words of Skyler at Hope for Haiti inspire you, as a valued member of the IFL USA community, to continue creating simple miracles every day. Thank you for making IFL USA’s life-saving mission possible.

NEW SEASON WITH RENEWED PEACE

Avis, a long-time beneficiary of Insulin For Life USA, is beginning the new season with renewed peace of mind and gratitude. Living with diabetes requires constant access to life-sustaining insulin and supplies: resources that are not always easy to obtain. Thanks to the generosity of IFL USA’s donors, Avis has received a new shipment of insulin and diabetes supplies, ensuring she can continue to manage her health safely and confidently. As she starts her spring in the Cayman Islands, Avis is deeply thankful for the ongoing support that has made this possible. Your compassion and commitment truly change lives. Thank you for helping make moments like this possible.

FACES OF HOPE IN SOUTH SUDAN

Soon after South Sudan gained independence in 2011, a group of concerned South Sudanese nationals, along with Sudanese colleagues, met in Khartoum to explore ways they could contribute to improving diabetes care for the people of South Sudan. Learn more about the South Sudan Diabetes Control Project and the role IFL USA has played in supporting this important work.

SUN-POWERED CARE

At the Holy Spirit Hospital in Makeni, Sierra Leone, insulin donated by IFL USA has been carefully organized by Mrs. Koroma, who oversees the diabetes facility, and safely stored in a solar-powered refrigerator provided by Direct Relief. In a setting where reliable electricity can be a challenge, this system ensures that donated insulin remains properly refrigerated and ready for the patients who need it.

BACK TO THE CLASSROM: NASRA’S STORY IN SOMALIA

Nine-year-old Nasra was forced to leave school as her health rapidly declined. She suffered from extreme thirst, nausea, and confusion (dangerous signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)) but her family did not know what was wrong. With limited finances, her mother had no way to seek medical care.

Hope came through a diabetes education program led by Dr. Osama and his team. As her mother listened, she recognized every symptom being described. She brought Nasra to the clinic immediately, where she was diagnosed with critically high blood glucose levels and urgently started on insulin donated by Insulin for Life USA.

Six months later, Nasra is healthy, thriving, and back in school. She continues to receive her insulin through the clinic, the care made possible by the generosity of Insulin for Life USA supporters.