A clever way to keep insulin safe
Renee Tobias' concern for her mother's health and safety prompted her to create a product and a business she now runs in Wheeling.
Tobias grew concerned several years ago when her mother, who lives in Buffalo Grove, broke two insulin vials used to treat her diabetes.
"She picked them off the table and the vials rolled on the floor and broke," Tobias said.
It's expensive to replace the medicine and can be dangerous to clean up, Tobias said.
She spoke with others who had the same experience. Tobias began experimenting with ways to protect the little glass vials.
Tobias tried a variety of materials and foams to wrap the vials. Many of the foam products would make it difficult for the vial to slide in and out.
Then, Tobias' scuba diving hobby sparked an idea.
"I was in a dive shop when I thought to use Neoprene," she said. "The things I learned from scuba, I applied here," she said.
Tobias created a protective sleeve out of the synthetic rubber material used to make wet suits. The covering also made the vial easier to grip.
Tobias, who works full-time in the printing industry, first made the sleeve for her mom to use. When friends tried the product, she was persuaded to take the concept to the next level.
Tobias, 55, found a manufacturer, attended business classes at Elgin Community College, signed up for seminars at the University of Wisconsin and, about four months ago, received a patent.
"It has been a long process," she said, and it continues as she now is working on marketing the product she calls Securitee Blanket.
The protective cover is sold on 11 Web sites, at Mark Drugs in Wheeling on Dundee Road and at the Pet Boutique located in the Wheeling Animal Hospital on Elmhurst Road in Wheeling.
It sells for about $7 and comes in two sizes and three colors -- fluorescent green, hot pink and royal blue. The colors make it easy to find a dropped vial, Tobias notes.
There are links to purchase the Securitee Blanket at www.securiteeblanket.com. "Get a grip on your insulin vial" is the motto of Tobias' new business.
The entrepreneur, a Maine East High School graduate, has received positive feedback about her invention. A customer told her, "it really doesn't look like much, but it works."
Top honor: WKRS 1220-AM, The Voice of Lake County, was named 2008 Station of the Year in Illinois Broadcasting.
Libby Collins, program director, accepted the award. News director Tim Vander Tuuk also accepted an award for Best Local Radio Newscast. WKRS.com was named best local radio website.
Sleep on it: Neurologist Dr. Steven Lekah has moved his office to the Geneva Professional Center located at 2172 Blackberry Drive, Suite 202 in Geneva.
The Community Neurologic Center has a new state of the art Epilepsy and Sleep Disorder Center. It's a clinic offering comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services for adults and children with disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system.
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