WOA!! That is amazing, Lee Ann.
I am… well… speechless! Thank you so much!
We are honored to count on you and so thankful for your amazing video and financial contributions during the fundraising campaign!
Terry,
First of all, it’s not too late to donate. You don’t need to be embarrassed about it. 
As for premiums, we thought there were plenty. If you go to the Donation page, you will see there are many different Thank You gifts depending on the donation level.
About your comment in terms of getting in people’s face, we tried to do it to a certain degree by sending four different messages (one every week), trying to appeal to different types of members: people with type 1, people with type 2 and people with a loved one with diabetes. Clearly, not ALL types of members were covered, but we only had so much time in the campaign too (and so many resources to put together videos and weekly mailers too).
What happened? Are we still here? We sure are… but that doesn’t mean there were no consequences to us not reaching the goal. Since we didn’t reach the goal, there are things we won’t be able to do for now… and things we won’t be able to do at all. The community certainly will continue to be around (as long as we can afford it, of course) but our awareness programs will be affected and so will our ability to adequately support our local ambassadors.
But we really felt it was important to emphasize the possibilities as opposed to the potential consequences. Having read this, do you still feel it is important to appeal to the potential consequences too?
We will definitely look into that idea for 2010. I want to investigate options for making monthly donations possible.
Gerri,
You don’t need to apologize… Really. Each of us helps in the community as we can. You are a very active member: one that participates in the Forum, welcoming new members, etc. and THAT is VERY valuable!
We are VERY thankful for your contribution, Nel. You help in many ways in the community!! Thank you so much.
Awesome post. This is a lot of how I feel!
This is part of what I’m talking about, Manny. “things” we won’t be able to do for now. “things” we won’t be able to do at all.
What “things”? Just an example would be helpful in a fundraising campaign. Specifics of what people stand to gain or lose helps to motivate them, IMHO.
And I don’t meant to diminish the efforts of the fundraising team - I know they worked their butts off to come up with pitches and ideas. All I’m saying is that I missed a sense of urgency - a sense that there would be consequences to NOT donating.
Donation on the way.
Terry
I hear you. This is precisely why this feedback is so important to us, so we can improve how we communicate our fundraising goals and our own planning as an organization, as we continue to evolve, Terry.
You didn’t diminish the efforts of the fundraising team, man: if anything, you are pointing out things we need to improve, and I can’t thank you enough for that!
Take care,
P.S. By any chance, will you be able to make it to TCOYD San Diego, Oct. 24? I would love to see you, if you can.
I donated because of the value I personally get from this site and the fact that I would be sorry if it could not be sustained. I am a part of several diabetes online support “groups” but I find myself returning to TuD more than anywhere else and it’s the one place I recommend to others. It has a great balance of perspectives - both broad and narrow. What I like most about TuD is the positive spirit and the relative lack of drama. TuD is a respectable place to get support and realistic information as it relates to living with diabetes. I haven’t “met” one single person from TuD, yet I feel like so many are my dear friends.
Hope we can meet soon, Lorraine!
Thanks for your continued support!
What can I say, Manny. I’ve said it before, I’ve had type 1 for 42 years now, and I feel like nothing has helped me more than TuDiabetes. When I joined, almost 2 years ago, I was looking for answers to some new diabetes-related challenges that seemed to all be happening at the same time. I was met by a flood of support, friendship, understanding, and information. I was ecstatic to be in a place where everybody understood. I’d be more than devastated if there was no TuD. I love the creative programs, and I also love keeping up with everyone on Twitter.
We love you too! Thanks so much for the support and friendship you offer us and everyone in the community, Marie!
I donated a small sum to the DHF. At first, I ignored the cheerful sign for money- but then I admitted to myself that this site, the people here and this service are something that I cherish. No matter what is happening in my life relating to diabetes, (and sometimes unrelated to diabetes) I know that I can always post here, and someone will know something that I don’t, know someone to contact, something to try, or will know what to say to make it better.
I know as the result of being a member here, I am 200% more knowledgeable than I was. And while diabetes is depressing, I am in a far better place emotionally thanks to this site and DHF, even though it usually isn’t cool to talk about the emotional toll that diabetes takes on all our lives. (I guess I am uncool- oh well.)
Ultimately, I suppose that I was paying to keep alive the friendships, the camaraderie, the tips, the skills, the techniques, the knowledge, the sympathy and the laughs- for myself and for everyone else, too.
And I think if you say to someone: do you value this service? Do you value the knowledge and community that we have here? Have all the times you have logged in been worth your time or helped you out?
Then most people would say yes- and they would donate, too.
Thanks so much for your words and support!!
Manny, Elizabeth and I donated because your focus on connecting people with diabetes is unequaled across the web. You have been a great partner for Diabetes Daily in several projects over the last year. Without the support of the Diabetes Hand Foundation, we wouldn’t be able to live up to our mission as well. By supporting you, we support all people with diabetes through a chain of relationships and projects that extend far beyond the Diabetes Hand Foundation itself.
Thanks, David and Elizabeth!
We are proud to partner on diabetes awareness projects with you guys!