Coach Bev and Anne are safe at Diabetes Education Services

So many have reached out to check in on us and we appreciate your outpouring of love and support.

Diabetes Education Services is open and ready to serve. Our office is located in Chico, CA which is about 10 miles west of Paradise and the Camp Fire.

Coach Beverly and Anne are safe and sound and determined to keep moving forward and provide services to our Diabetes Education Community. 

Camp Fire in Paradise and Surrounding Communities

As you have heard on the news, the town of Paradise and surrounding areas have been completely devastated.

Most of the homes and businesses are gone and there is only scorched earth in its place.

For twenty years, I have driven up the hill to Paradise on Tuesdays, to run the diabetes program at Adventist Health, Feather River Hospital.

I loved that small community hospital, all the patients I get to work with and our amazing diabetes education staff. Together, we built an ADA Recognized Diabetes Program, a thriving support group and we launched a wildly popular Diabetes Prevention Program in January 2018.

Very sadly, the hospital is partially burnt down and many of the surrounding clinics are completely gone. It is a miracle that the courageous nurses and hospital staff were able to evacuate all the patients to safety while fire was raging all around them. They are such amazing heroes and I am forever thankful for their courage and dedication.

The future of our Diabetes Education and Prevention Program is unknown, but we will figure out a way to provide this critical service to our community in the near future. I am very worried about several of my patients whom I have known for years and have become such an important part of my life. I hope to hear from them soon.  

How you can help:

So many of you have asked how you can help. Most people fled their home with only the clothes on their back and their pets. The shelters are overwhelmed with food and clothing donations.

What is needed now is donations to emergency relief funds.

Here are a few reputable organizations that you can feel good contributing to knowing that the funds will get to the people who need it most.

• North Valley Community Foundation – fund is going to support the needs of the evacuation centers who opened their doors to support the people who lost their homes and are fleeing the fire.
• Caring Choices Chico: 100% of your donation will be used to directly offer aid to those in need. Donors can indicate if they are making a contribution or a donation to a specific person, area or need.
• The American Red Cross: Visit the Red Cross’ special donation page or call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
• The Salvation Army: A special page, SalArmyCampFire.org, has been created to accept donations. People can also call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) and specify “Camp Fire” for designated funds.

Thank you again for all your kindness and concern!

With love,

Coach Beverly & Anne