$116,000,000,000 You Pay….What Comes Back?

moneyThe American Diabetes Association estimates that when it comes to diabetes 116 billion dollars (with a “b”) is spent on everything out of lost time which is an additional 58 billion dollars.

I believe there will be a solid advantage to the pharma world that is aligned with the place and/or organization that takes us closer to a cure, or is helping those in need on a larger scale–a thought occurred to me that I think needs addressing.

If you combined all—I mean all—of the money given to those focusing on research, you would come nowhere near the 300 million dollar mark annually.  That’s JDRF, DRI, ADA, Joslin, Barbara Davis, DECA, Columbia University, Minnesota, Harvard, and on and on and on; COMBINED. I believe my number of 300 million is very high for an annual amount.

For all that is given, spent, and utilized to care for all those with diabetes; all the fundraising combined is .25 of the total revenue spent on diabetes care annually; and almost all of that fund-raising is private philanthropy;  one-quarter of one percent!

Anyone else find that number to be slightly skewed? 

I get it.  Companies are in business to make a profit for their stock holders.  And many companies give a good deal; but are all of them giving even 1% back to the consumer in the form of a cure or helping those in need?

We now have many choices when it comes to diabetes supplies, maybe we should add,  “What are you doing to help?” to our decision process when choosing a company to purchase our supplies.  Maybe we should be asking more, what do you think? 

I am a diabetes dad.

 

Today is Giving Tuesday…..Did You Know That????? 3 GREAT Ways to Help.

Do you know what today is????

You had black friday; you had cyber Monday—-well now that you saved all that money–welcome to Giving Tuesday.  That is correct…..today is the day to show your support to the charity of your choice.

Now I have a few suggestions for you (well you know that was coming) just in case you are at a loss.

1. You can go to www.santaclausDRI2012.org and donate to either send a personalized letter from Santa to a child you know or even to just give a donation…..you’ll feel good about it.  All money supports the fabulous work of the Diabetes Research Institute….whatever you give will help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Go to http://www.diabetesresearch.org/keep-calm-and-cure-diabetes and order a Keep Calm and Cure Diabetes t-shirt……very, very cool.

 

 

 

 

3. Send an e-Card https://www.diabetesresearch.org/send-an-ecard—very nice way to show you care.

 

 

 
 

So all of these great ways to help find a cure for diabetes and also to give on this day of Giving Tuesday….Thanks for caring.  You’ll feel good–even if it is just a little, everything helps.

I am a Diabetesdad

 

Santa Will Send Your Child a Personal Letter……..You’ll Help Find a Cure.

If if you do not have children for this incredible program…..it’s the holidays, help take us one step closer to a cure.  

SANTA CLAUS CAN PEN A PERSONAL NOTE TO YOUR CHILD THIS CHRISTMAS
Jolly holiday fundraiser benefits Diabetes Research Institute Foundation


New York, NY (November 23, 2012) – Yes, Virginia (and Emma, and Maria, and Max, and Willie…), there is a Santa Claus. To prove it, ‘Ole Saint Nick himself will send a personalized letter – complete with a North Pole stamp – to any child, in any part of the world for a minimum $15.00 donation to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. This jolly holiday fundraiser kicks off this year on Friday, November 23rd at www.SantaClausDRI2012.org and is certain to light up faces brighter than the star on the tree.   

(Kids from last year holding their letters)

The personalized letters, which can be sent by parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or any other family member or friend, can include all kinds of information, like a reference to any toy, game, iPad or techno-gadget on the child’s wish list or whether he/she has been naughty or nice this year. Santa can even tell them that he knows how well they have been managing their diabetes. The fundraising campaign is open to all families everywhere, not just those affected by diabetes. However, with almost 26 million Americans affected by the devastating disease, it is likely that almost everyone knows someone with diabetes.

To get the hundreds, even thousands of letters out to children by Christmas day, a legion of Santa’s “elves” are standing by around the country, according to volunteer chairwoman Marie Jarcho.

“We had a tremendous response the first time last year. This is a wonderful and easy way to brighten a child’s Christmas and they loved it. The more information that parents or others supply on the website, the more personal Santa’s letter will be,” she said. “As a mother of a son with type 1 diabetes, it is my hope that people will give what they can to help the Diabetes Research Institute find a cure.”

After the event last year, one mother wrote that her child was so thrilled with the personalized letter that she slept with it every night until Christmas. The DRI Foundation is hoping for a greater response this year.

“This initiative is all about making children happy by receiving a personal letter from Santa Claus. We also know that during the holidays, millions of children and their families affected by diabetes wish for a cure. Our goal is to make that wish come true, and we’re grateful to be able to move a step closer with the funds raised through fun programs like this,” said Robert A. Pearlman, president and CEO of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation.
To send a child a letter from Santa Claus, visit www.SantaClausDRI2012.org.  The deadline for participation is midnight on December 18th.