I’ve been approached recently by a number of companies that make diabetes-related products (bags for D-supplies, cases for pumps…) and charities to which one can donate in another’s name, as a gift, asking me to promote them as gift-giving options for PWD. At first I thought “very cool! I’ll let our members know about these gifting options!”. But then a colleague of mine raised the point that perhaps some of us would really NOT like to receive anything diabetes-related for the holidays. Maybe that’s the last thing some PWD want!
Would you like to receive a gift that relates to diabetes in some way? Would you like, as a gift, for someone to make a donation to an organization in your name? If you answer “yes” to either of these, what gift would you like to receive, or organization would you want your loved-one to donate to?
If the gift is not covered with diabetic bag or whatsoever, but discreetly labelled inside I would be pleased with the gift. I would like any benefit to be paid to Diabetes Western Australia.
There is a particular diabetes-related t-shirt that I really like, the purchase of which helps to fund a documentary about research toward a cure for type 1, called The Human Trial. I’m doing a live interview on TuDiabetes with the documentarian in January. (Details here) That t-shirt is a D-thing I’d be happy to receive as a gift.
I don’t really use any pump cases or D-gear bags, so although I wouldn’t be upset to receive one I also probably wouldn’t make use of it.
I woudl not mind DHF staff spread them around to those who are participating. One per person first come first served or something like that. Hey i love hats, so yeah toss a hat, pen, Mercedes my way offer the pink fuzzy dice and i might let you know if I will move on.
recenly read a blogpost about not giving specific “diabetes” gifts to PWD. cant find the post anymore, unfortunately…
kinda agree on that, if i need anything D-related it is pretty specific and i often search for months myself to find what i need, and all that food, i guess everyone agrees with me that sugar free candy stinks.
about the donations to charities made in your name i think a bit differently, as it is a nice gesture and find it quite considerate.
my 0.02
I’m not that into diabetes gear, other than meters, etc. that I’d prefer to choose myself. I have always traveled as lightly as possible so I don’t have a “diabetes bag”. I have a “messenger bag” to schlep lunch to work, that happens to take care of my meter, SmartieBeans, etc. and some running belts, but pretty much everybody with whom I did marathon training a couple of years ago had some sort of belt to lug snacks, hydration, etc. along with so I don’t have a special diabetes one.
@EmilyC Emily, do the companies want you personally to promote their products? If Tudiabetes does any promotions will a percentage of the profit be donated to the organization? Since I’m about to be using a pump for the first time, I’d be interested in learning about bags to carry pump supplies. I’d be even more inclined to buy a quality product if as a result of my purchase tudiabetes received some funds. If people aren’t interested they simply won’t pay attention to the promotion.
Great question, @Janis1! In the case of this thread, no. But I do sometimes post about companies that donate to DHF each time one of our members purchases their product, posts on their website, etc. As you might guess, we get a lot of those sorts of offers/requests, and I try to be discerning about which I share here.
I LOVE that you would be more inclined to purchase a product that resulted in a donation to DHF! Thank you so much for having that in mind, @Janis1. At the moment there are no pump supply case companies that are offering donations, but I’ll contact a couple of them and let them know such an arrangement would be meaningful to our members
