When Mark lost his insurance, Mission of Mercy Arizona helped him access life-saving insulin and care — free of charge and full of compassion.
When 28-year-old Mark* was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a young adult, he was just starting college — and had no health insurance. After an emergency hospital visit, he was placed on AHCCCS (Arizona’s Medicaid program), which helped him get his blood sugar under control and the care he needed. But when his income went slightly above the qualifying threshold, he suddenly lost his coverage.
“I needed insulin, but I didn’t have insurance anymore,” Mark recalls. “I was in a bind. My blood sugar was too high, and I knew I was at risk for ketoacidosis.”
Mark found himself caught in a frustrating cycle of paperwork, long waits and unclear answers at the Arizona Department of Economic Security. “I sat at DES for hours, filled out all the forms and heard nothing. I was running out of time and didn’t know what to do,” he says.
After a visit to the Emergency Department following an episode of high blood sugar, Mark was referred to the Mission of Mercy clinic in Chandler, Ariz., since he had no health insurance.
“I came to the Chandler clinic three times — always to get insulin because I was between jobs and insurance. The cost out-of-pocket for insulin is well over $100,” Mark explains. “They helped me take care of myself while I figured out a long-term solution.”
Dr. Brad Smith, medical director at Mission of Mercy Arizona, says, “Mark’s story is more common than people think. Even a temporary lapse in insurance can have serious health consequences, especially for someone managing a chronic illness like Type 1 diabetes. While we have many regular patients who are uninsured and use us for their primary care, we’re also here to step in during critical gaps.”
Now working as an assistant restaurant manager and preparing for his wedding this October, Mark is on more stable ground — but he hasn’t forgotten the help he received.
“Everyone at Mission of Mercy was so kind and driven by a genuine desire to help,” Mark says. “This isn’t about money or insurance — it’s about caring for people when they need it most. I definitely plan to give back when I’m able.”
For now, he’s looking forward to utilizing the healthcare coverage he has as one of the benefits of his new job.
Mission of Mercy was more than a clinic to Mark. It was a lifeline — one that helped carry him through a very challenging time with compassion, dignity and care.
*Patient’s name and image have been changed to protect privacy.
