The devastation produced by hurricane Katrina has left many children with chronic disorders suddenly out of their homes without the proper supplies or medications and little access to the specialized healthcare resources they require. Children with endocrine disorders such as diabetes, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypopituitarism may need life-sustaining medications, continuing and emergency care; other patients with hormonal deficiencies may need their continuing therapies and medical supervision to treat these disorders. The Pediatric Endocrine Clinic at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and Children’s Hospital in New Orleans treats thousands of children every year. The clinic is re-locating temporarily to Baton Rouge so that they may begin caring for patients again. They have asked for our help. They need medications and supplies as well as computers, expensive medical records software, pagers, etc. They seem to have fallen outside the radar of the mainstream relief efforts and have received little organized help so far. As you may know, there are very few pediatric endocrinologists in Louisiana and LSU-Children’s Hospital had one of the largest practices in the state caring for children from across the region, many of them on Medicaid or without insurance. It may be quite some time before they will be able to return to LSU-Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.
The New York Times reported on Weds., Sept. 14 that:
"Right now the state university system is trying to make sure that there are enough hospitals in the Baton Rouge area to meet short-term needs. Only then will it address the longer term issue of public health in New Orleans. ...[An LSU hospital official] said, adding, ’We don’t know what New Orleans is or will be for some time.’ "
CARES Foundation has been working with Dr. Stuart Chalew, Chair of Pediatrics, and Dr. Alfonso Vargas, Chief of Pediatric Endocrinology at LSU-Children’s Hospital to determine ways that we can help best. We have already arranged for essential medications for children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia to be FedEx’d to the doctors at their temporary home at LSU Health Sciences Center in Baton Rouge, but feel that we can help best by purchasing laptops and other communication devices for them to use until they can return to New Orleans. We have sent one new laptop computer already but they need several more. They also need expensive medical software.
I ask that you join us in doing our part to serve those affected by the hurricane. We may not be the Red Cross, but perhaps we can make a difference to children with endocrine disorders from the region. Feel free to contact us for further information. Please give generously by sending a check to the address below or donating via credit card at www.caresfoundation.org .
With Deepest Thanks,
Kelly R. Leight, Executive Director
CARES Foundation, Inc.
(Congenital Adrenal hyperplasia Research, Education and Support)
189 Main St.