Emergency and Assistive Services in Response to Hurricane Sandy

November 2, 2012

The impact of Hurricane Sandy to the residents of the mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, and Midwestern United States has been devastating. MSAA’s staff is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life as well as the destruction of personal possessions, homes, and businesses, caused by this storm. Power outages, gas shortages, and other loss of basic services continue to disrupt the lives of millions of people – and these effects are particularly urgent to individuals with disabilities. With this in mind, we hope that the following information may be of help to members of the MS community in need.

For individuals who either lost medication or lost power and were not able to keep medication cold (if required), the following pharmaceutical information may be of assistance. Specific notes listed were provided to MSAA by the individual pharmaceutical companies. MSAA will update this listing as more information becomes available.

Aubagio
Program name: MS One to One
Phone: (855) 676-6326
Website: www.MSOnetoOne.com

Avonex
Program name: MS ActiveSource
Phone: (800) 456-2255
Website: www.avonex.com
Storm note: Avonex that has been lost or improperly stored as a result of Hurricane Sandy will be replaced at no cost.

Betaseron
Program name: BetaPlus
Phone: (800) 788-1467
Website: www.betaseron.com
Storm note: Betaseron that has been lost or improperly stored as a result of Hurricane Sandy will be handled on a case by case basis.

Copaxone
Program name: Shared Solutions
Phone: (800) 887-8100
Website: www.copaxone.com
Storm note: Copaxone that has been lost or improperly stored as a result of Hurricane Sandy will be handled on a case by case basis; representatives note that Copaxone can be left without refrigeration for up to one month at room temperature.

Extavia
Patient Services Program
Phone: (866) 925-2333
Website: www.extavia.com
Storm note: Extavia that has been lost or improperly stored as a result of Hurricane Sandy will be handled on a case by case basis.

Gilenya
Patient Services Program
Phone: (800) 445-3692
Website: www.gilenya.com
Storm note: Gilenya that has been lost or improperly stored as a result of Hurricane Sandy will be handled on a case by case basis.

Rebif
Program name: MS Lifelines
Phone: (877) 447-3243
Website: www.mslifelines.com

Tysabri
Program name: MS ActiveSource
Phone: (800) 456-2255
Website: www.tysabri.com
Storm note: Tysabri that has been lost or improperly stored as a result of Hurricane Sandy will be replaced at no cost and will be sent directly to the infusion center.

To see a full listing of pharmaceutical assistance programs and their contact information, please visit http://www.mymsaa.org/about-ms/sources/

The American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Community Food Banks, State Offices of Emergency, Disaster Centers, and other organizations (such as the United Methodist Committee on Relief) are set up throughout the country to assist people in crisis. Contact information for these services is available through telephone information or by searching the internet. To follow are some specific contacts for these services.

American Red Cross: www.redcross.org; 1-800-RED CROSS or (800) 733-2767

Salvation Army: www.salvationarmyusa.org

State Offices of Emergency Management:
http://www.fema.gov/regional-operations/state-offices-and-agencies-emergency-management

United Methodist Committee on Relief (delivers health and sanitation kits, as well as home-repair and case-management services): www.umcor.org

*Article from the United Methodist Committee on Relief on how to help in a disaster:
http://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Resources/News-Stories/2012/October/How-To-Help-Do-This-Not-That

FBI TIP PAGE on how to avoid disaster relief donation scams: http://www.ic3.gov/media/2011/110311.aspx

New Jersey and New York were among some of the states most severely affected by Hurricane Sandy. To follow are some state services that may be of assistance.

NEW JERSEY

NJ State office of Emergency:
http://www.state.nj.us/njoem/

NJ Disaster Center provides links to federal, state and disaster centers and resources:
http://disastercenter.com/newjersy/newjersy.htm

Community Food Bank of New Jersey (food resources, in coordination with FEMA): (908) 355-FOOD

NEW YORK

New York State Office of Emergency:
http://www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/
 
New York Disaster Center:
http://disastercenter.com/newyork/newyork.htm
 
American Red Cross New York:
http://www.nyredcross.org/

NYC Food Bank is also helping in relief efforts: http://www.foodbanknyc.org/

For more information or assistance, individuals with MS, family members, and other members of the MS community may contact MSAA's Helpline at (800) 532-7667, or email MSAA at: MSquestions@mymsaa.org.