Rasmus -- The Boy Who Stole My Candy Heart.

I was cleaning out the inbox last night...
randomly clicking through my e-mails, and getting ready to sign off for the night.

A new e-mail came in while I was there...and I have to tell you...

I fell in love.

Meet Rasmus.

He sold homemade truffles at his church's Shrove Tuesday dinner last night to raise money for 

the Life For A Child campaign.  

Rasmus raised $68.00!  

Seriously, how can you NOT fall in love with this sweet face?

Thank you for your support, Rasmus.

YOU have helped save the life of a child with type 1 diabetes!

What a blessing you are to the entire universe!

The world is a better place,

because of Candy Hearts like yours and those of your wonderful family!

PS -- If you are organizing and event to support the Life For A Child campaign, be sure you send me the details along with a picture or two!

INTRODUCING: Once Upon A Sugar Tree

Pssst.

I have news.

BIG NEWS!!!!

The Candy Hearts Collection

has added a new product to help save

the lives of children with diabetes around the world!!!

I'm thrilled to introduce you to...

Once Upon A Sugar Tree

Once Upon A Sugar Tree creates personalized bottle cap pendants for necklaces or keychains.
Personalization options include name, beads, dangles, and colors.

All of their designs are original and cannot be found elsewhere.

They have created these blue circle bottle caps to support

Candy Hearts' campaign to save the life of a child with diabetes.
For every purchase, Once Upon A Sugar Tree will donate $3.00
to help save the lives of children with diabetes!

That being said, and since I'm sure YOU want to help save as many lives as possible...

Don't forget to check out the complete

Candy Hearts Collection!

GiGi and Lula

Pump Wear, Inc.

Tallygear

TigTagz

Please help save the life of child TODAY!

(Click HERE for more details about this campaign.)

From my Candy Heart to yours,

Life For A Child Film

Please carve out 30 minutes of your time and make this film a priority TODAY.
Thank you.

Life For A Child With Diabetes
in partnership with
HOPE worldwide


Click the pic to learn more about how YOU can helpsave the life of a child with diabetes.

Candy Hearts Supports Life For A Child

It is estimated that there are 100,000 children with diabetes around the world who are in need of assistance to access insulin.

Without insulin, these children will die within 1 week.

$1 (or more) for each of these children.  
That's our mission.  Let's get started.

Candy Hearts has partnered with several businesses and is proud to present to you the Candy Hearts Collection of blue circle merchandise to support Life For A Child.  These artisans have used their time, talents, and resources to create a practical line of products that I am certain you will enjoy.  Some of these vendors do not have a direct connection to T1D, yet they recognize the global crisis that exists, and want to be a part of the solution.  

Proceeds from this campaign will provide insulin and supplies to 
children in need around the world:

GiGi and Lula

Gigi and Lula  was started when I discovered that I could make a better quality and selection of hair clips than what I was buying for my girls {Gigi and Lula}. The bonus was, I really enjoyed making the hair clips and the creative process. Before long my girls had more flowers, bows and barrettes for their hair than they could wear in a lifetime!  So we began giving our hair pretties out as gifts. With a little encouragement from my friends and family, my "hobby" became my business. 

Together Gigi and Lula and Candy Hearts Blog aspires to provide these children, and their families, a tangible gateway to survival and HOPE. *10% of all Gigi and Lula purchases that include a Candy Hearts Collection item will be donated to Life For A Child with a minimum donation of $1.00.


Shelbi

Pump Wear, Inc.

Pump Wear Inc. was created in 2001 when Julie’s 3 year old daughter went on an insulin pump.  At that time there were no fun creative ways for children and adults to wear an insulin pump.  So Julie and her best friend Dawn created Pump Wear Inc.  A place that now carries over 800 amazing ways to wear your insulin pump and to bring awareness to our need for a cure for diabetes.  Pump Wear now offers, insulin pump cases, t-shirts with pockets for the insulin pump, specialty clothing, diabetes bags and meter cases, diabetes awareness items and much more. 

Pump Wear is thrilled to be able to participate in the Life For A Child program through Candy Hearts Blog.  Pump Wear will donate 10% of our profit from all of the Life For A Child merchandise sales.  Proceeds from this campaign will provide the much needed insulin and supplies to children all over the world.


Thank you for supporting the “Life For A Child Program”.


Julie, Dawn and Nikki

Tallygear

The Tallygear company was created for our daughter Tallia Emily who was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes September 4, 2007. She began wearing an insulin pump November 7, 2008. We couldn’t find a insulin pump belt that she was comfortable wearing so we decided to design one ourselves. After several years and many many designs we believe we have found what works best for her and now so many others. 

The ‘Original’ Tummietote Belt was designed to carry an insulin pump, cellphone, test kit and snack. The Tummietote Belt can be worn close to your body either to accent your outfit or to be totally discreet. It is made from lycra /nylon material, so it is extremely comfortable against your skin. Tallygear has expanded to include several more products tallytotes, cool headbands and sport belts to make living with this disease a little bit easier and fun. We have even integrated a clear view vinyl window to make viewing your pump or continuous glucose monitor easier.


Tallygear is honored to support Life for a Child Program through The Candy Hearts Blog Campaign with Tallygear products. Our family has been forever changed by Juvenile Diabetes and we would like to help those in desperate need to get the life saving insulin they need to survive and thrive.


In support of Life for a Child Program, Tallygear will donate 20% of ALL Tummietote Belt sales to Life for a Child when you enter in the comments section at checkout 'Candy Hearts Collection or Campaign or Life for a Child Program. The donation will be made directly through the Candy Hearts Blog to The Life for a Child Program. Proceeds from this campaign will provide insulin and supplies to children in need around the world. Thank you for your support.


Donna, Matthew, and Tallia Annese

TigTagz

TigTagz is proud to support Life For a Child with our new "Blue Circle" wristband. Although not touched by diabetes, TigTagz was created by the mother of a child with special needs who is dedicated to making children a little safer. Each set of wristbands can be personalized with all the information you feel is needed to be re-united with your child if you become separated. Medical conditions and allergy alerts can be easily included and are printed in red text. We have great styles that kids LOVE to wear. Scratch one of the "what ifs...?" off your list by putting a TigTagz on your child's wrist.

In support of diabetes awareness, TigTagz will donate 20% of sales from ALL our wristbands to Life For a Child when you enter the code "UNITE" during checkout. 


Keep your children safe AND support a great cause.


Stephanie

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1)  Support these vendors!  Think of them when you're making an online purchase, whether it's for yourself or a gift for someone else.  Remember, your support will save a child's life!

2)  Spread the word!  PLEASE share via Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, chat forums, emails, and any other venue you can think of.  Feel free to grab the Candy Hearts' Life For A Child button as a tool to help with that!


3)  Please pray that this effort will, somehow, reach each and every child in need.  I realize that sounds like an impossible task, but I believe in a big God who can do amazing things.

4)  If you are an artisan who would like to participate, feel free to create your blue circle merchandise and contact me today.  There's always room for more love in this Candy Heart! (candyheartsblog@gmail.com)

5)  In addition to making an investment in the Candy Hearts Collection, you can also make a direct donation.  Donations are accepted on behalf of Life For A Child through HOPE Worldwide. (For more information about this partnership, click HERE.)  The donation button below will link you a page where you can make the contribution amount of your choosing in support of Life For A Child .  All contributions are U.S. tax deductible.  For information about tax deductibility in other countries, click HERE.

Please note that Candy Hearts Blog will not receive 

any financial compensation from this campaign.

All monies raised will be allocated to the 

Life For A Child program via Hope Worldwide.

Before you go, I'd like to share something that is sure to leave an impact on your heart, mind, and soul.  In order to better understand the urgency of this global crisis, will you please consider taking 30 minutes of your time to watch this short film?  If you can't do it right now, I urge you to bookmark it and come back later....

PLEASE open your Candy Heart and connect with these stories.

Then do something to help the thousands of families like them who are living with

Type 1 Diabetes, and desperately need your support.

Whatever you do...PLEASE do not turn your back. 

We are ONE community.  We must take care of each other...

and we must do it NOW.

Life For A Child With Diabetes
in partnership with
HOPE worldwide

They each count.

I Have A(nother) Question!

Deep breath.

Let's all just take a minute to regroup.

WHEW!  Apparently I missed quite a firestorm over the past few days!!!  The reaction to this letter seems to have ignited some passionate emotions.  To be honest, I'm glad I missed it.

So I'm not going to comment on it...the firestorm, that is.

Instead I'd like to add my 2 cents about what wasn't in that letter.

For me, it all comes down to this statement:

We have a responsibility and an opportunity to help them live better, healthier, longer, and less stressful lives. And so one of the big changes that we’re undergoing is focusing on improving the lives of people living with diabetes on a day-to-day basis.

Okay.

Sounds good to me.

I'm all for it!

I'd like to know how (and if) this *international* organization plans to help people with Type 1 Diabetes who are living in conditions that make it nearly impossible to access insulin.  I'd venture to say that (and correct me if I'm wrong) assisting these individuals to access the insulin they need to survive would go a long way towards "improving their life".

So I'm curious...DOES JDRF have any programs in place?  HAVE they done anything to financially support organizations such as Life For A Child?  I honestly don't know, but I'd hate to think that anyone was cherry picking about whose life they're committed to improving...and whose they aren't.  I mean all this chatter about "cures" and "improved technology" is awesome...but...insulin has been around for nearly 100 years.  If these people can't access the basic life sustaining tool to keep them alive, then how on earth would they ever be able to benefit from the rest?

And, if there's not....consider this post as my hand being raised to volunteer for the opportunity.  I'll figure out a way to bridge the gap.  I'll do anything I can to support an effort to assist the global community.  You can count on me.

Hey...we all have special skills.  Some dive into research, others have a knack for communicating with legislators, still others may be a power house when it comes to cooperate fundraising.  Well, I take care of people.  It's my passion.  That's just what I do.

So I'm bringing it to the floor and asking the DOC.

I'm not on a witch hunt.  I'd like to gather some facts about this particular issue.  I found this list on my local chapter's website, but it doesn't seem to answer what I'm looking for.  I've e-mailed the national JDRF office, but haven't gotten a response yet.  Hey, and Mr. Brewer, if you stumble upon this post, I'd love some input straight from you!

It's my goal to come away from this post with lots of warm, fuzzy stories about this awesome organization and their efforts to contribute to the solution of an ever-growing crisis that exists within the global Type 1 Community.

So speak up!  I'm listening :)

PS -- If you have some input, but would rather not leave a comment, please e-mail me at candyheartsblog@gmail.com.

From My Candy Heart To Yours,

A NEW FOCUS

NaBloPoMo Day 13

Without insulin, a child with type 1 diabetes will die within a week.

International Diabetes Federation's Life For A Child Program

When I was a child, our family moved every 2 - 3 years.  At one point, we lived in the Philippines.  I was in the third grade and distinctly remember the immense poverty that surrounded the naval base we lived on.  I have a vivid memory of  looking through a fence after school one day watching a young boy, about my age, working in the field just beyond our house.  I stood there watching him for quite sometime.  I was stunned that he was out there chopping away at the crop, knowing his family probably didn't have enough food for dinner that night.  Our eyes met a few times.  Those minutes left an impression in my mind that I've never been able to forget.

For several years, I have felt a deep rooted desire to find children with diabetes in countries like the Philippines and help them gain access to the insulin the need for survival.  The image of a mother holding her child as she slips into DKA before dying...an innocent child moaning and crying as her body succumbs to the inevitable outcome...the fear of not having access to insulin....these images haunt me.

Oh, but I'm just a mom.

Here.

In the U.S.A.

Where I can leisurely take for granted the medical supply companies, and pharmacies, and insulin pump manufacturers....where I can rest knowing that our closet is full of the supplies we need, our refrigerator stocked full of the insulin she needs, and our health insurance ready to renew the warranty on Sugar's insulin pump.

Meanwhile, they're still there.

Dying.

Imagine having to walk for hours and hours wearing flip flops or bare feet just to access enough insulin for a week or two. Imagine only being able to obtain enough insulin for survival...and then having to face life with a myriad of complications for which you cannot obtain medical care...all because there wasn't enough insulin available to help you prevent said complications in the first place. Imagine being a parent who must make the decision between paying for the insulin to save your child's life or the food and shelter for the rest of your family.

I can't stand it.

Our family will be supporting a new organization this year.  Yes, we will still support JDRF and other diabetes advocacy organizations as best we can.  We will still have a walk team, but our goal may be cut in half - or more - I'm not sure yet.  What I DO know is this:  We are going to do whatever we can -- bake sales, car washes, letter campaigns, ANYTHING -- to support an organization that is on the front lines of providing life saving insulin to children in the developing world.

The International Diabetes Federation's Life for a Child Program is currently supporting 4,000 children in 26 countries worldwide.  They have a goal to reach 15,000 children by the end of 2011.

We plan to help them.

Candy Hearts has launched an initiative to raise $100,000 to support the 

Life For A Child campaign. 

I don't really know how we're going to do it.
It may take me the rest of my life.
I'm not really sure.

Click HERE to learn more about the meaning of the blue circle symbol for diabetes.