Meet Darlene Shelton

Meet Darlene Shelton, a passionate advocate for individuals with rare diseases, chronic illnesses, and special medical needs. Darlene's journey began when after her grandson, Danny, had been diagnosed with severe hemophilia and the family discovered their efforts to assure he would be protected in an emergency were futile!

Despite extensive research and preparation, the Shelton family faced a devastating setback when they learned paramedics and ER doctors had refused to administer a dear friend’s life-saving medication during an emergency due to conflicting protocols and liability concerns.

Driven by her determination to protect others from a similar experience, Darlene embarked on a mission to advocate for change. She lobbied state and national lawmakers, raised awareness through media outlets, and collaborated with various organizations to address the issue.

Through her tireless efforts, Darlene has successfully influenced legislation in Missouri, Minnesota and Arkansas which now “allows” rather than “prohibits” administration of patient-carried, specialty prescription medications, paving the way for nationwide change which has also lead to State Scope of Practice changes in 16 additional states to date. She continues to rally support from individuals across the country to ensure that people with conditions requiring specialized emergency care receive the critical and timely treatment they need in emergencies.

Join the movement! Your voice can help make a difference in your state. Contact Darlene to join the Danny’s Dose efforts to champion change and needed education that will protect those with rare diseases, chronic illnesses, and special medical needs.