Cape Coral woman finds hope with new ALS drugElevate Florida program to help homeowners strengthen properties against storms
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral woman finds hope with new ALS drug A breakthrough discovery of a drug offers new hope for patients with a genetic form of the disease.
Elevate Florida program to help homeowners strengthen properties against storms The Florida Dept. of Emergency Management announced the launch of its new “Elevate Florida” residential mitigation program.
Planning and Zoning Board approves proposed West County area development Homebuilder Maronda Homes received approval Feb. 10 from the Charlotte County Planning and Zoning Board to amend a previously approved development on 1,174 acres in the area of South Gulf Cove.
LEHIGH ACRES 3 charged for major theft organization targeting luxury vehicles Three men, one from Lehigh Acres, has been charged for their role in a major theft organization targeting luxury vehicles.
port charlotte Man arrested for DUI after slamming into Port Charlotte home’s garage The North Port Police Department has arrested a man accused of DUI and crashing into a Port Charlotte home’s garage.
CAPE CORAL New information on nurse accused of starving premature baby New information has been released about what happened behind closed doors when a nurse allegedly starved a premature baby.
BONITA SPRINGS World’s largest bounce castle to spring into Bonita Springs The Big Bounce America, the world’s largest inflatable bounce castle is set to appear in Bonita Springs.
palmdale Gatorama owner bitten during alligator feeding show Gatorama owner Allen Register was sent to hospital after being bitten by an alligator during a feeding show.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of Cape Coral DUI accident with serious injuries A man has been arrested after allegedly causing an accident with injuries while driving under the influence in Cape Coral.
wink news Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
the weather authority Another warm afternoon for your Tuesday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warm Tuesday afternoon with stray rain showers expected in our inland communities.
NORTH FORT MYERS Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stops Marcus Selby, 24, is facing multiple charges after a dramatic series of events involving Cape Coral police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
SANIBEL Sanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid Sanibel residents are bracing for increased traffic as the city issued a “heavy traffic advisory” for the entire week.
FGCU FGCU’s Casey Santoro battles back from Achilles injury FGCU women’s basketball player Casey Santoro is back on the floor after suffering an Achilles injury a season ago.
BABCOCK RANCH Heaviest Florida panther ever recorded located in Babcock Ranch Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists recently captured and collared the heaviest Florida panther ever recorded.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral woman finds hope with new ALS drug A breakthrough discovery of a drug offers new hope for patients with a genetic form of the disease.
Elevate Florida program to help homeowners strengthen properties against storms The Florida Dept. of Emergency Management announced the launch of its new “Elevate Florida” residential mitigation program.
Planning and Zoning Board approves proposed West County area development Homebuilder Maronda Homes received approval Feb. 10 from the Charlotte County Planning and Zoning Board to amend a previously approved development on 1,174 acres in the area of South Gulf Cove.
LEHIGH ACRES 3 charged for major theft organization targeting luxury vehicles Three men, one from Lehigh Acres, has been charged for their role in a major theft organization targeting luxury vehicles.
port charlotte Man arrested for DUI after slamming into Port Charlotte home’s garage The North Port Police Department has arrested a man accused of DUI and crashing into a Port Charlotte home’s garage.
CAPE CORAL New information on nurse accused of starving premature baby New information has been released about what happened behind closed doors when a nurse allegedly starved a premature baby.
BONITA SPRINGS World’s largest bounce castle to spring into Bonita Springs The Big Bounce America, the world’s largest inflatable bounce castle is set to appear in Bonita Springs.
palmdale Gatorama owner bitten during alligator feeding show Gatorama owner Allen Register was sent to hospital after being bitten by an alligator during a feeding show.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of Cape Coral DUI accident with serious injuries A man has been arrested after allegedly causing an accident with injuries while driving under the influence in Cape Coral.
wink news Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
the weather authority Another warm afternoon for your Tuesday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warm Tuesday afternoon with stray rain showers expected in our inland communities.
NORTH FORT MYERS Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stops Marcus Selby, 24, is facing multiple charges after a dramatic series of events involving Cape Coral police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
SANIBEL Sanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid Sanibel residents are bracing for increased traffic as the city issued a “heavy traffic advisory” for the entire week.
FGCU FGCU’s Casey Santoro battles back from Achilles injury FGCU women’s basketball player Casey Santoro is back on the floor after suffering an Achilles injury a season ago.
BABCOCK RANCH Heaviest Florida panther ever recorded located in Babcock Ranch Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists recently captured and collared the heaviest Florida panther ever recorded.
Experts warn that insulin can be abused by people with diabetes ISTOCKPHOTO The cost of a life-saving medication is skyrocketing, affecting hundreds of families in Southwest Florida. “It becomes a real scary thing,” said Pamela Rivera. Rivera is a single parent caring for her 11-year-old daughter, Sabine, who has type 1 diabetes. “We know what the cost of diabetes, not only emotionally, but the financial cost is unbelievable.” “I had a lot of friends who, when they first found out, had no idea what it was,” Sabine said. Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas does not produce insulin, which regulates blood sugar. Without that insulin, people diagnosed with the disease would die. “We know a lot of people who don’t have insurance. They cut corners. They don’t do what they’re supposed to do, because they don’t have the means,” River said. A month’s supply of an insulin pen costs more than $600. The test strips alone cost more than $300 a month. That’s because the cost of that life-saving insulin dramatically increased in the last few years. CBS News found that prices more than tripled from 2002-2013. One drug increased almost eight percent in 2017 alone. Another kind of insulin rose from $300 for a three-month supply last year, to more than $900 this year. “It’s horrible. It’s horrible,” said Tami. It’s one reason Tami Balabage founded Help a Diabetic Child Foundation, a non-profit based in Southwest Florida that primarily serves Lee and Collier counties. “We buy diabetes supplies and insulin for children and young adults whose families are struggling financially and cannot afford to get these supplies,” Tami said. She was inspired to help out after her son was diagnosed. “When I stop and think about it, I get very angry,” Tami said. But insulin manufacturers say it’s not their fault. For example, in a letter to the US House of Representatives in 2017, the Endocrine Society argues: “Health plans should remove insulin from co-pays in high-deductible plans, Congress should consider policies that would reduce patient cost-sharing, and patient assistance programs for insulin should be less restrictive and more accessible.” But for Rivera and other families those solutions can’t come soon enough. “We ended up moving back in with my mom. It’s tight quarters, but it is what it is. We make the best of it. We do what we have to do,” she said.” It’s a major adjustment to keep her daughter, who is managing the disease, alive. ” I didn’t understand that that would be something I would live with forever until there’s a cure,” Sabine said. A cure that could save a lot of money, and more importantly, a lot of lives. To Help a Diabetic Child Foundation has helped 400 families in Southwest Florida. To read more about the foundation’s work, you can visit their website.