LA County Fires + the Diabetes Community’s Resilient Response

The Los Angeles County Fires in January 2025 highlighted the struggles people with diabetes face when displaced or impacted by a major disaster, as shown in a powerful mini-documentary. 

Disasters like the LA fires make it hard to get the insulin, medicines, and technology needed for managing diabetes.

A grassroots effort started to help people in the Los Angeles diabetes community who were struggling in this tough situation. 

Led by You’re Just My Type and supported by Medtronic, this quick response became the main subject of a strong mini-documentary. 

Diabetech’s Justin Eastzer, who lives with type 1 diabetes, released the film on February 18, 2025. It highlights the incredible way the diabetes community came together, showcasing the determination and compassion that drove their mission.

An emotional journey: Behind the scenes of the documentary

Reflecting on the filmmaking process, Eastzer described it as one of the most emotional and meaningful projects of his career.

Alongside Eastzer was director Dylan Leonard, who also lives with type 1 diabetes. 

Eastzer and Leonard were driven by a deep personal commitment—not by profit. They chose to reinvest all the funding into the production, taking no personal payment.

A defining moment: Seeing hope in the face of disaster

One moment that truly resonated with Eastzer was the sheer selflessness of those who stepped up. 

“We all wonder, ‘What would happen in a crisis? Who would help?’ And what we saw was that people—many with no obligation to do so—dropped everything to ensure those in need had insulin and supplies.”

Eastzer adds that those who stepped up had full-time jobs and their own responsibilities, but they still found a way to show up for others.

One story that particularly stood out was that of a volunteer named Liz, who had flown to Los Angeles for a vacation but quickly found herself leading a massive supply distribution effort instead. 

“Her trip turned into an all-consuming mission to help others—it was one of the most selfless things I’ve ever witnessed,” Eastzer shared.

A Medtronic employee’s inspiring dedication

Jeff Brown, VP of customer and channel operations at Medtronic, recounted a touching behind-the-scenes moment that epitomized the spirit of the diabetes community. 

One of Brown’s employees, impacted by the LA fires herself, had to evacuate her home and relocate to a hotel. But instead of focusing solely on her own crisis, she logged back into work from her hotel room to help others. 

“She wanted to take calls and support those who were also struggling,” Brown recalled. “It showed me just how deeply people care—not just about their own needs but about the community as a whole. It was bigger than all of us.”

The challenges of diabetes care in emergencies

The response effort also highlighted major flaws in how diabetes care is handled during disasters. 

Accessing insulin and supplies was a major hurdle, compounded by bureaucratic obstacles in pharmacies and insurance processes. 

“It took two days for LA to approve emergency prescription overrides,” Eastzer noted. “Why weren’t these systems in place already? We’ve seen disasters like this before—Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Katrina—yet we’re still not ready.” 

One potential solution discussed was a zip code-based emergency override system where those in affected areas could automatically receive their medications without red tape. 

“In a crisis, we need to act first and ask questions later,” Eastzer emphasized.

The role of Medtronic and the future of disaster preparedness

For Medtronic, this experience reinforced the need for proactive disaster planning. 

“This didn’t change our perspective on disaster preparedness—it reinforced what we already knew,” Brown said. “We have a 24/7 support team because someone, somewhere, is always facing a crisis. But what we learned is that we need to scale our response faster when large-scale disasters strike.” 

Brown also emphasized the importance of collaboration between manufacturers, pharmacies, and insurance providers. 

“We don’t make insulin, but we can advocate for people who need it. We don’t control insurance policies, but we can push for them to be more responsive in emergencies. It’s about influencing the entire system for the better.”

How social media transformed the relief effort

One of the most crucial tools in this rapid response effort was social media. 

“Social media changed everything,” Eastzer said. “It allowed us to identify needs, coordinate supply drops, and connect people instantly. Without it, this effort would have been much slower and less effective.” 

Eastzer adds that the digital landscape has reshaped emergency response, enabling real-time updates, fundraising, and volunteer coordination on an unprecedented scale. 

“It’s not just about awareness anymore—it’s about action,” he added.

A Call to Action: Preparing for the Next Crisis

The LA fires served as a wake-up call for the diabetes community, demonstrating both its incredible resilience and the urgent need for systemic improvements in disaster response. 

“If there’s one takeaway from this experience, it’s that we all have a role to play,” Eastzer said. “Whether you’re an individual, a nonprofit, or a major corporation like Medtronic, there’s always something you can do to help.” 

As natural disasters become more frequent, ensuring access to life-saving diabetes supplies must become a priority. 

The hope is that the lessons learned from this response will pave the way for a more prepared and responsive future—where no one with diabetes has to fear being left behind in a crisis.

To see these journeys firsthand, watch the documentary. Learn more about the cause, share the message, and consider donating to You’re Just My Type to support this important work.