Spare a Rose, Save a Child

I am not really into Valentines Day.  When my boys were younger, we did the cards for their class. If I was feeling creative, we did "hugs and kisses" or Valentine pencils.  For those times when I totally forgot that Valentines was about to happen, we did heart shaped sugar cookies that the boys took to share with their class. 

My boys are now much older and school Valentines are no longer important.   This weekend I received an email that has made this "Hallmark holiday" very special however. Diabetes Advocates and the Diabetes Online Community have come together to help the Life for a child program, sponsored by the International Diabetes Federation, which aims to take "contributions for donors (to) go to established diabetes centers enabling them to provide the ongoing clinical care and diabetes education these children need to stay alive." 

There have been times in the past 13 years when money was tight, insurance was not available and I had to limit the amount of testing my son did during the run of a day.  That was scary enough but I never had to worry about him not having insulin to cover his food or stay healthy.  For children in developing countries, these worries are very real but this Valentines Day you can help! 

Spare a Rose, Save a Child, is a simple and amazing way to make a difference.  This year, when you head out to buy your beloved a dozen roses buy eleven.  No, you will not then be spending your night alone or sleeping on the couch because you will have taken the money that would have paid for that last rose and donated it to the Life for a Child program! You will have helped to save a child with one beautiful rose.  Your partner will love your thoughtfulness much more than the extra rose.  It really is a win-win opportunity!

So if you were planning on sending me a dozen roses on Thursday, I will fully understand when I receive 11--actually I will be pleased to note that a child will be able to inject life saving insulin for another week because I received one less rose. And, if you weren't sending them to me, I am sure whomever was getting them will be just as happy to know that you spared a rose to save a child! 

Happy Valentines Day!