Shea’s greatest song is still playing.
About Us
Shea’s Story
On October 7th, 2021, (Alyssa) Shea Curtis passed away from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), at the young age of 28. For so many, it felt like the world was robbed of one of the greatest people to ever exist. She was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt, friend, and so much more.
Shea left this earth as a live-in caregiver for her grandmother. She always went above and beyond to make sure her grandmother was constantly well taken care of. She would cook her healthy meals, ensure she took all of her medications, take her to doctor’s appointments, and simply just give her a reason to smile every day. But her love didn't stop there. She was also the aunt every sibling dreams for their children to have. Shea cared so deeply for her niece and nephew, always striving to set the best example for them. Not one single moment of it went unnoticed to anyone around the adorable bunch.
When it came to being a friend, Shea was worthy of receiving a Nobel Peace Prize. She was always there for people she cared about, and in so many life-changing ways. Whether you needed a shoulder to cry on, or to have someone encouraging you to get out of your head and make the most out of this life, she was there. The most prevalent influence of all, though, was her ability to make an entire room... literally... roll on the floor laughing (although her contagious laugh was, hands down, everyone’s favorite to hear).
When Shea wasn’t thoughtfuly caring for the needs of others, she was fulfilling her passion for music. Shea graduated from the SAE audio engineering program in Los Angeles, California. After that, she moved to Missouri and began her work with a recording studio, producing vibrant music for local artists. Following in her grandmother's footsteps, music was consistently her happy place.
Everyone who knew her would agree that her taste in music was unsurmountable. She always knew the next hit song before it ever became popular. Throw out your radios people. It was almost impossible to encounter her without some amazing song playing in the background. If you were lucky, you might have even caught her busting out some moves. Although, the electric slide was a dance she would never pass up.
While she was busy being one of the utmost uplifting beings to exist on this planet, she also had to master a tough balance quite early in life. At age 12, Shea was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. While she fought her hardest to survive this unavoidable diagnosis, the world lost countless beautiful notes that unforgettable day in October.
The Future
Her story is similar to countless others with this diagnosis, in that the cost associated with care is extremely unaffordable for anyone. Innumerable people struggle to accrue these funds, just so that they can simply stay alive. This is where Shea Saves comes in, striving and fighting to take a step towards a brighter future for everyone struggling with diabetes.
Diabetes has been one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States for many years. In 2020 ¹, it ranked #8 and was 14.8% ² higher than in 2019. While many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, those with diabetes are suffering even more financially. The medical costs associated with diabetes have continued to rise over the years, totaling in now at around $800 ⁴ monthly. Healthcare costs for Americans with diabetes is 2.3 ⁵ times greater than it is for those without. While health insurance can cut down on some costs, care is still more than most can afford. These prices aren’t even taking into consideration the indirect costs associated with having diabetes.
The side effects of diabetes alone make job attendance and productivity extremely difficult. With all of these factors in consideration, most diabetic patients are left feeling like all the odds are against them. The medical and indirect costs associated with diabetes are far higher than most can maintain, resulting in dangerous measures being taken just to simply stay alive. A recent study found that 1 in 4 ³ diabetics are rationing their insulin because of how high treatment costs are. At a certain point, we all need to ask ourselves, “what can be done to end these preventable tragedies?”
Shea Saves will do anything to be a sign of hope that far less lives will be lost to diabetes. Every donation made will directly go towards the purchasing of supplies for diabetic patients in need. It’s that simple. Whether it be syringes, needles, test kits, pumps, and so much more… every dollar will count. So many lives will finally have the potential to actually live life to the fullest. Shea Saves is also getting involved in community outreach, contacting healthcare providers to set up programs for collecting unused supplies that would otherwise be wasted.
If you are considering donating to Shea Saves, please take a moment to see just how much every dollar donated can make a difference, by referring to the list of supplies that will be purchased below:
Glucose Meter: $30-$50
Glucose Test Strips: $25-$40
Lancets: $10-$20
Syringes: $10-$25
Alcohol Prep Pads: $5-$10
Sources
¹https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm
²https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db427.htm
³https://news.yale.edu/2018/12/03/one-four-patients-say-theyve-skimped-insulin-because-high-cost
⁴https://www.theembracefoundation.org/the-facts
⁵https://www.diabetes.org/resources/statistics/cost-diabetes