So that was World Diabetes Day?
So that was World Diabetes Day... Good thing I have a Twitter account and this blog or I wouldn't have known. I saw a message on Twitter yesterday saying the same thing. The author wrote that they didn't hear a word on any large media outlet but that Twitter was on fire with diabetes related posts. I found myself agreeing.
Every blogger, website and person whose BG was ever above 120 took the opportunity to announce something yesterday, me included and everyone's exuberance caused a flutter for certain, tweets were flying down my timeline at a furious pace. I spent my entire day keeping up with, managing, posting and responding to things related to World Diabetes Day. I felt great, though a bit exhausted (I may have fallen to sleep on the sofa and not woken up until 4:45 am) and I'd do it all again in a second but my question is, "what did I do?"
Was I only talking to other people who already knew that it was World Diabetes Day? Did our community have a party that only we came to? I'm sure not totally but I'm betting that the answer is, in some part, "yes". It's this nagging feeling that I have that helped me to decide to follow my passion and announce my charitable intentions last week. My overall concern that while we are supporting each other and doing it well, our message may not reach far outside the community or with the same intensity that it does inside the community.
It's a huge and difficult question but I want it answered - How do you get a baseball fan to care about hockey? A serious news junky to care about the Kardashians? Is it possible to get a message to a person that has no interest, connection or concern with a topic without marketing that person to within an inch of their life, thusly ruining the message? I think the answer is "yes" and I'm determined to find a way to do it.
None of this is to say that the amazing things that go on in the DOC everyday aren't valuable, just the opposite, they are the heart of the DOC but how do we expand? How do I leave a guy who has no connection to type I diabetes feeling what a T1 mom feels when she reads something that I've written. It is possible, I know it. I know in impart because I believe but also because it's happened to me and recently.
We took Arden to see 'Wicked' in New York last week. At the end of the first act the character Elphaba is hovering above the ground having just come to an important realization about herself. The scene ended, the curtain went down and the house lights went up - I was crying. My level of interest going into the show stopped being an issue when I was presented with a well told and interesting story. That is how I see our message about diabetes going wider. We have to stop spouting statistics and saying the same things over and over when we're presented with a larger audience. I know that it's difficult to find new and interesting ways to say the same stuff but it's doable. We need to tell more interesting stories, well.
If only diabetes was a green witch that could sing...
They didn't allow photograph in the theater so here is a picture of Arden surveying New York from the Empire State Building.
"There's nothing you can't do"
Spring Universal Infusion Set - Giveaway
In celebration of World Diabetes Day, Spring Health Solutions has generously allowed me to identify one child that would benefit from receiving a *three year supply of their Spring Universal Infusion Set, at no cost to the child! Spring has also contributed a $250 gift to help me realize my goal of starting a charitable foundation whose focus is putting insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors in the hands of children who want but can not afford them.
If your child could benefit from a three year supply of the Spring Universal Infusion Set, please complete the form at the link below to be considered. Be sure to read and understand the following details before completing the form.
The details...
The Spring Universal Infusion Set is compatible with the following insulin pumps: Animas One Touch Ping, Roche Accu-Check and Sooil Diabecare IIS.
You must have a doctor's prescription to receive the Infusion Sets and complete a product training with a Spring U.S. representitive.
What's next?
Consider helping the Untitled Giving Project become a reality.
Become a member of Arden's Day to stay up-to-date about future giveaway opportunities.
Complete the form to be considered for the Spring Universal Infusion Set giveaway.
Spread the word about our efforts by using the 'Share Article' link just below or by sharing this link - /main/2011/11/11/spring-universal-infusion-set-give-away.html
The rest...
Arden's Day is not a charity and does not claim to be one. We take no responsibility for your experience with the Spring Universal Infusion Set should you be chosen to receive the three year supply. Arden's Day is not directly giving the winner any products but merely choosing one child that Spring will award the gift to, train in it's use and make delivery of as they see fit. In the event that Spring can not, for any reason, fulfill it's promise to supply the infusion sets. Neither Arden's Day nor it's owner Scott Benner, assumes any responsibility to fulfill this offer. The recipient will be chosen based on many factors, at the discretion of Arden's Day with the primary focus of provided the best clinical outcome possible. If the recipient is unable to accept the gift, a new winner will be chosen. The gift has no cash value and is non-transferable. Recipient must be a U.S. resident.
*"Three year supply" means 450 total infusion sets.
If you've been to this page in the past, you may notice that the requirement for the recipient to be uninsured has been lifted. If you or someone you know has a child in need that can benefit from this gift, please fill out the form and I'll contact you very soon. Best, Scott
This giveaway has ended. Look for a follow up story soon.
Thank you for your interest!
November is Diabetes Awareness Month
I am going to write about one small moment from each day in November as an attempt to shed some light on what living with diabetes is like for a family whose child has the disease. Each entry will be made to this post - they'll be longer then a tweet but short then a blog post.
Tuesday, November 1
I miss counted Arden's dinner carbohydrates sending her blood glucose soaring over 300. Kelly had to spend the evening trying to get it back in range. She was careful and caring, tired from a day of work and helping Arden with a school project. I was unable to help her because I was with our son at his sports practices. High BGs are stressful.
Wednesday, November 2 (1:00am)
Arden's blood glucose has fallen too far. The last bolus see received at 8pm ended up being too much. Her BG was now 57 and two hours of temp basal rates couldn't stop her slow decline. Kelly went to the kitchen for a juice box and then laid in bed next to Arden, I knelt on the floor at the opposite side of the bed holding the juice. We both tried to get the other to go to bed. I said, "Kel you have to get up early for work... you should go to bed, I can take care of Arden". Kelly replied, "I'm the one that gave her too much insulin, I'll wait with her". - We both waited until Arden was stable.
Thursday, November 3
Today I ramped up my diabetes advocacy x 1,000... I hope you all come along for the ride! All the details.
Friday, November 4
Wore something Blue for Blue Friday.
Saturday - Sunday
I seem to have taken the weekend off...
Monday, November 7
Watched Jay Cutler play for the Bears with Arden - Tweeted him after to say thank you for his transparency with his type I.
Tuesday, November 8
Spoke to a fellow blogger about ways to make her really great idea for awareness a reality!
Wednesday, November 9
We made a $75 donation to Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS - Karma
Thursday, November 10
I entered into an agreement today that will significantly help one family that struggles with the cost associated with their child's insulin pumping. I will make the announcement on Monday November 14th, with all of the details.
Friday, November 11
Arden's DexCom is wearing blue for Blue Friday!
Saturday, November 12
Took the Big Blue Test - http://www.bigbluetest.org
Sunday, November 13
Spoke to a wonderful attorney about the Untitled Giving Project
World Diabetes Day
Announced that we will be giving a 3 year supply of infusion sets away to a child in need.
Tuesday, November 14
Vacuuming, cleaning, doing the laundry. If I don't get this stuff done Kelly will kill me and then I won't be able to be an advocate for diabetes any longer. So really... this is for the cause more then you know! :)
Lend Your Support
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, more specifically November 14th is World Diabetes Day. The blue circle that you see here is the logo for the World DIabetes Day campaign. This organization is focused on the worldwide “education and prevention” of diabetes.
In the spirit of World Diabetes Day, I like to think of November as a chance to continue the good work that we have done for the JDRF’s ‘Walk to Cure Diabetes’. So just because the walk is over doesn’t mean that we are done yet.
When you make a donation to the JDRF you are making a 100% tax deductible contribution to an organization whose focus is finding a cure for Arden, being her voice in Washington and developing devices that will lengthen, save or enrich her life. The JDRF is a well led and lean charity machine. An impressive 80% of every dollar that you give goes directly to their endeavors.
So that’s my pitch, if you find yourself looking for a charitable donation to make as tax season approaches, I truly hope that you’ll consider making a donation to the JDRF through Arden’s walk.
Arden’s 2010 walk has collected $5,600 so far. In the five years that we have been supporting the JDRF, Arden has raised an incredible $40,000! We’ve reached that number 5, 10 and 50 dollars at a time through the generosity of people just like you. Though our team total was $5,600, we fell short of Arden’s personal goal of $5,000. Perhaps you’d be able to help her get a little closer to that goal. If you can, please use this link to make a donation. Thank you!