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Has lupus, Crohn's or another autoimmune or rare disease

Use when someone has lupus, Crohn's, colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis or another autoimmune or rare disease and needs a specialist, costly medicine, a support group or help living with flares.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Listen and check for danger
  2. Get a regular doctor first
  3. Free help lines and groups
  4. Paying for costly medicine
  5. Living with flares without a home

1Listen and check for danger

You can ask"What disease do you have? Who treats it now?"
You can ask"Are you out of any medicine?"
High fever, chest pain, trouble breathing, a lot of blood in the stool, or severe belly pain? Go to the ER or call 911.
Gila Regional Medical Center
Emergency room
575-538-4000 · 24/7: 911
1313 E. 32nd St., Silver City · 24/7

2Get a regular doctor first

A regular doctor can order tests and refer them to a specialist (rheumatologist or GI doctor).
Hidalgo Medical Servicesnot yet confirmed: call first
Silver City Community Health Center: Primary medical care
575-800-1467
1007 N. Pope St., Silver City · Mon-Fri 7:00 am-6:00 pm
Silver Health CARE
Primary care and urgent care
575-538-2981
1600 E. 32nd St., Silver City · Clinic Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Urgent Care Tue-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm

3Free help lines and groups

Lupus Foundation of America
Free lupus health educator help line
800-558-0121
· Call and leave a message; a health educator calls back (hours not posted)
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
IBD Help Center (Crohn's and colitis questions, referrals, insurance help)
888-694-8872
· Weekdays from 7am Mountain (9am Eastern); some evenings later; voicemail any time
Arthritis Foundation
Arthritis Helpline and Live Yes! Connect Groups
800-283-7800
· Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm Eastern (7:00am-3:00pm Mountain)
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
RareCare patient assistance (medicine, copays, testing, travel)
800-999-6673
· Mon-Thu 6:30am-5pm, Fri 6:30am-4pm Mountain (8:30am-7pm / 6pm Eastern)

4Paying for costly medicine

Many of these medicines cost thousands of dollars. Help is out there.
HealthWell Foundation
Grants for copays, deductibles and premiums
800-675-8416
P.O. Box 489, Buckeystown · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm ET
Patient Advocate Foundation - TotalAssist (includes former PAN Foundation)
Grants for medicine copays, deductibles and insurance premiums
866-512-3861
· Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm ET
Good Days
Copay, premium, diagnostic testing and travel help for chronic illness
877-968-7233
2611 Internet Blvd., Suite 105, Frisco · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm CT (closed noon-1pm)
Accessia Health
Help paying insurance premiums, copays and medical travel for certain rare and c
800-366-7741
Patient Advocate Foundation
Free case management for serious or chronic illness
800-532-5274
· Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm ET

5Living with flares without a home

At the Gospel MissionShowers, laundry and hygiene kits help keep skin and wounds clean.

More help like this

See all guides in Health and recovery →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

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Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.