Living with type 1 diabetes means keeping track of a lot of supplies. From insulin and glucose sensors to pump supplies, backup devices, and low blood sugar treatments, knowing what you have and when you need to reorder can take considerable time and energy.
In a Blue Circle Health webinar on October 15, 2026, Scott Johnson, Senior Community Manager at Blue Circle Health, spoke with Cory Zapatka, who has lived with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for 22 years and created Stash Diabetes, an app designed to make managing diabetes supplies easier. Cory shared how his own experience led him to build the tool and how it can help people with diabetes keep track of their supplies and reduce some of the stress that comes with managing them.
The Hidden Work of Managing Diabetes Supplies
Cory started developing Stash after running out of infusion sets shortly after his daughter was born. Caught up in life with a newborn, he had lost track of his own supplies. Without an infusion set available, he had to switch to insulin pens for a few days. The experience made him realize he needed a better way to manage his inventory.
Like many people living with type 1 diabetes, Cory had been keeping track of supplies mentally since his diagnosis. But between refill dates, expiration dates, and backup supplies, there was a lot to remember. He began looking for an existing solution, and when he couldn’t find one that met his needs, he decided to build his own.
What Is Stash Diabetes?
Stash Diabetes is an app that helps people with diabetes track their supplies in one place. Users can scan the barcodes on their supplies to record information such as lot numbers, expiration dates, and quantities. The app includes several features designed to make everyday diabetes management easier.
1. Track Supplies and Expiration Dates
Stash allows users to scan supplies into their inventory and track how much they have available. It groups items by expiration date and lot number, helping users identify which supplies to use first. Users can also see how many days of supplies they have remaining.
Cory acknowledged that the first-time setup can feel a little overwhelming. He shares that it can be helpful to “do it one supply at a time. Go through all of your sensors and just scan all of your sensors, and then a couple days later, if you don’t have the energy, enter all of your insulin.” Once the initial setup is complete, adding new shipments can be quick. Cory said scanning a shipment of nine sensor boxes takes him less than 20 seconds.
2. Receive Diabetes Supply Recall Alerts
Tracking lot numbers can be especially useful when a manufacturer announces a product recall.
During the webinar, Scott described the difficulty of checking individual insulin pump supplies during a large recall. Manually entering lot numbers can be time-consuming, and even a small typing error can cause someone to miss an affected item. Because Stash records lot numbers when supplies are scanned, the app can flag inventory affected by a recall. This feature can help users identify potentially affected supplies without manually checking each item on a manufacturer’s website.
3. Plan for Trips and Keep Track of Backup Supplies
Traveling with type 1 diabetes involves more than packing clothes. People living with T1D need to calculate how much insulin, how many sensors, and which backup supplies to bring for a trip of any length, spanning from a single overnight to a multi-week trip or anything in between.
Stash includes a trip planner that estimates what users should pack based on their settings and existing supplies. The app also supports separate inventories, called “side stashes,” for supplies kept in different locations, such as work, school, or a gym bag. This helps users keep track of where their backup supplies are and how many items they have available in each location.
4. Recognize Patterns in Supply Use
Stash tracks usage over time, helping users understand how quickly they go through certain supplies. For example, users may discover how long their insulin vials typically last or how frequently they replace their pump supplies. The app also allows users to track where they place devices on their bodies. Reviewing this information can help them notice patterns in their own habits. Cory emphasized that the app is intended to help people identify patterns, not provide medical advice.
5. Set Reorder Reminders and Share Inventory
The app can send reminders based on supply quantities and reorder schedules. For example, someone who receives a 90-day supply can set a reminder to order more when they become eligible for their next shipment. Stash also offers a shared view on iOS, allowing parents or caregivers to see another person’s supply inventory and help with reordering.
Other features include support for multiple insulin delivery methods, medication reminders, and timers for certain supplies.
Stash Diabetes Is Designed for Different Needs
Stash supports people who use insulin pumps as well as those who manage diabetes with multiple daily injections. Users can also track oral medications and other items they want to monitor. Cory explained that people with type 1 diabetes use different devices, medications, and routines. He continues to develop the app in response to feedback from the diabetes community.
At the time of the webinar, Stash was available on Apple’s App Store, with an Android version in development. Cory also explained that most app functions can work offline after setup, although internet access is needed for some features, including recall alerts and certain barcode lookups.Stash is currently free, and Cory’s goal is to keep it that way. .He also discussed exploring research partnerships to better understand supply-related distress and product quality issues, using data shared voluntarily and anonymously.
Reducing the Mental Load of Type 1 Diabetes
Throughout the conversation, Cory returned to a familiar experience for many people with type 1 diabetes: constantly wondering whether they have enough supplies. Do you have enough insulin for the next few weeks? Are there backup supplies at work? Will you have everything you need for an upcoming trip? These questions can add to the mental load of living with diabetes.
Cory hopes Stash can help ease some of that uncertainty by giving people a clearer picture of what they have, what they use, and when they need to reorder. As he explained, even reducing a small part of that worry can make a difference.
You Don’t Have to Carry It All Alone
Supplies are just one piece of the mental load that comes with T1D. Blue Circle Health is a free virtual program for adults with T1D in select states, offering clinical care, education, and support that works alongside your existing care team.
Check your eligibility, explore our upcoming community events, and catch more conversations like this one on the Around the Circle: Living with T1D podcast.
To learn more about Stash Diabetes, visit the Apple App Store or contact Cory at support@stashdiabetes.com.
This webinar is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Blue Circle Health isn’t affiliated with Stash Diabetes and doesn’t endorse specific apps or products. Talk with your care team about your individual health needs and which tools may work best for you.
