#GiveAllTheThings: Glucose Gels.

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to:

@barbiep63: As a teacher, it is important to keep my BG's LEVEL. These would be great on the go with my kids!

I'll be tweeting you shortly!

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Today marks the last day of Give All The Things!, and I have two giveaways today - these are even more rapid-fire, so don't miss the deadline! This contest will only be open for about six hours!

Product: A "starter kit" of glucose gels!

Made possible by: Level Foods

Why you want this: I got to try some of these at FFL this year, and thought the strawberry banana was pretty yummy. At exactly 15g of fast-acting carbs per pouch, I imagine that athletic types would find that these fit the rule of 15 better for their lows than some other gel packs.

To enter today's giveaway contest: Use the word "level" when you leave a comment below. Be sure that your comment is time-stamped before 2:00 pm CST, because that's when I'll be drawing the winner! This post will be updated shortly after that time, with the name of the winner (who needs to be someone with a U.S. address).

For more information on what "Give All The Things" is about, visit the original post. 

2012 Recap.

I just realized I didn't do a year-end recap for 2011, but did a partial one in 2010, so hey, why not start doing them for real in 2012? No time like the present. (And thanks to Kerri for the go-ahead to copycat her meme!) 

January: "Last night, MTV aired an episode of its series "True Life", called "True Life: I Have Diabetes".

February: "You know that moment where your diabetes-related spidey sense kicks in, and you can't help but stumble all over yourself?"

March: "Someone please explain this to me." 

April: "On Saturday, Aaron and I got all gussied up to attend a local JDRF Gala."

May: "Everyone else has Siri. I want a Bigi."

June: "The You Can Do This Project turns one year old today!"

July: "Yesterday, my friend Wendy shared something about her young daughter on Facebook."

August: "My time spent at the Roche Social Media Summit gave me a lot to think about."

September: "Over the course of several months I've been making small but cumulative changes to things like what I eat, how much I eat, how much I exercise, and most importantly, how my mind frames all of those activities."

October: "Last week I saw what was probably intended as a passing comment, claiming that "information is the antidote to fear" when it comes to health."

November: "To the marketers, communicators, fundraisers, educators, healthcare providers, medical students, and everyone else who wants to talk about diabetes in a public way: please choose your words wisely."

December: "It's the first day of Give All The Things! Ready? Let's do this!"

#GiveAllTheThings: Working On Your Fitness.

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. The winner is:

Zed Thompson: I am a type 2 diabetic and in 2012 I rode in the Tour de Cure for Colorado. For the 2013 year I signed up to ride again with a new goal of being able to ride 50 miles. Both my mom and dad are type 2 diabetics and we are all insulin dependant. I could really use some training or advice to get me to reach my goal of 50 miles or more. I am currenlty up to the 15 mile marker at least that is what I was able to ride in the 2012 Tour de Cure.

I am so excited for you, Zed! I hope you'll keep us posted on how your training goes next year. :) Please email me at textingmypancreas (at) gmail (dot) com with your contact info!

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Product: One WILDfit program!

Your coaches and teammates will be online, cheering you
the whole way!

Made possible by: TeamWILD: We Inspire Life with Diabetes

Why you want this: TeamWILD gives you access to the experts in athletics, diabetes, nutrition and mental skills to help you find your inner athlete and, through athletics, to take charge of your diabetes self-care. Your WILDfit program membership will include:

• 12 weeks of customized training plans delivered to your inbox each week.

• 12 weeks of video and audio support from USAT Certified Coach Lynnda Best-Wiss and Diabetes Coach and Sports Nutritionist, Jenny Smith, RD, CDE, both of whom are highly trained and experts in their fields.

• Email support for 12 weeks from the athletic coach and diabetes coach to answer your questions.

To enter today's contest: Leave a comment below sharing what you want to accomplish, fitness-wise, in 2013. It doesn't have to be anything lofty or impressive, so don't feel intimidated. :) Your comment needs to be time-stamped before 5:00pm CST today, and this is open to all PWDs (not just in the U.S.)! Good luck, and happy weekend to you! (There will be one final day of Give All The Things! on Monday... make sure to check in and see what I'm giving away. It might be more than one thing!)

#GiveAllTheThings: A Place To Stash Your Stuff.

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Con to the grats to:

The Alexanders: Just ordered my 5 year old a GGM - this would come in very handy for him to carry the receiver!!!

I can't wait to hear how he likes it! Please email me at textingmypancreas (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address, and we'll get one shipped your way. :)

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Product: The "Original" SPIbelt! What color you get will be a surprise for both of us, and it fits waist size 25" through 50".

Made possible by: SPIbelt

Why you want this: I own two of these, myself - one is the original version, and one is the double-pouch one I bought at FFL last year - and they're super handy for jamming a CGM receiver, phone, glucose tabs, lip balm and a key (yes, that will all fit in there - the pouches are super stretchy) when I want to go for a walk with my dog. I also wore one when I did a half-marathon - it worked great, and didn't bounce around like I was afraid it might. If you're active and need to carry diabetes crap around with you, this is a nice hands-free way to do it.

To enter today's giveaway contest: Leaving a comment below, tell me how you'd use your SPIbelt! The winner will be selected at 8:00 pm CST, so leave your comment before then! This is open to U.S. and Canadian addresses. Check back on this post to see who the winner is. Good luck!

For more information on what "Give All The Things" is about, visit the original post. 

#GiveAllTheThings: Pharmacy Goodies.

UPDATE: This contest is now closed! Congrats to:

Meg: I went to CVS today. I love their storebrand items. Their version of tegaderm rocks!

Meg, please email me at textingmypancreas (at) gmail (dot) com with your info for shipping! :)

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Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, or if you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope your random Tuesday in December was spectacular. In any event, there are four giveaways remaining in this Give All The Things shindig: here we go!

Products: A box of goodies to keep you healthy - teeth, skin, and blood glucose!

Made possible by: CVS/pharmacy

Why you want this: Similar to the giveaway I hosted last month, this prize pack has great basics (glucose tabs!) as well as things you may not be buying already (legit sharps container!), plus stuff you would have had to end up buying anyway (toothpaste!). You win all around with this one.

And in case you aren't familiar with their diabetes-specific savings program (ExtraCare Advantage for Diabetes is the full name), new members of the ECAD program who sign up on CVS.com/diabetes automatically receive a $5 off coupon. Additionally, CVS/pharmacy is also offering a discounted $15 co-pay on a 30-day supply of CVS/pharmacy TRUEtest Strips, as well as a mail-in rebate for free meters. Excellent.

To enter today's contest: This contest is open to U.S. addresses only. Please leave a comment on this post using the term "CVS" before 5:00pm CST, and I'll update this post shortly after that with the name of today's winner. Remember that these contests are intended for people with diabetes and their caregivers, only. Best of luck to you!

For more information on what "Give All The Things" is about, visit the original post.

#GiveAllTheThings: Nanu Nanu/Nano Nano.

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to:

Katie S.: As a child of the 90s, the word "nano" only makes me think of my Nano Baby. Everyone in middle school had to have one (or some form of it--Tamagotchis and Giga Pets, anyone?) and we constantly got in trouble for playing with them in class.

Mara: Awwww having this itty bitty Nano would kind of want to make me test even more often (kind of like how when I was a kid, Pre-D, I would always want a blood test at the doctor so he'd give me a Garfield bandaid. Yes, that's right. :-)

Please email me at textingmypancreas (at) gmail (dot) com with a mailing address, and I'll get your meters out to you... soon. :)

Happy holidays!

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Products: Two Accu-Chek Nano meters, for two lucky winners! (And in reference to the title, sorry - I can't see "Nano" and not think of Mork and Mindy. Anyway, hello tangent, back to the giveaway.)

Made possible by: Roche Diagnostics, Diabetes Care (makers of Accu-Chek products)

Why you want this: This is the newest Accu-Chek meter - tiny device, bright screen, improved accuracy, and it comes with a FastClix lancing device. It can also be individually styled with cases and covers, should you choose to do so!

To enter today's contest: Leave a comment below with the word "Nano" in it. (Or if you spell it "Nanu", I won't hate it.) Make sure your comment is time-stamped before 5:30pm CST; this post will be updated shortly after 5:30 with the names of the two winners! This contest is for U.S. addresses only.

About next week: There will be no #GiveAllTheThings on Monday or Tuesday of next week, as my family and I celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The party will resume on Wednesday, the 26th, so check back in with me then to see the remaining four giveaways I have planned for you!

Happy Holidays!

For more information on what "Give All The Things" is about, visit the original post.

#GiveAllTheThings: Thoughtful Cards.

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to the winners:

Mrs. Harer: For my 25th year with D, we had a huge party at a local cupcake shop.

Jenn: My doctor's office gives gold stars for improved A1C. My last two visits were 7.0 so I have two gold stars in my notebook. It was great going to the store after and explaining to someone what the gold start was for.

Please send your mailing address to textingmypancreas (at) gmail (dot) com!

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Products: Two variety packs (valued at US$9 each) of diabetes-inspired greeting cards - three cards in each pack!

Made possible by: Blue Cupcake Press

Why you want this: From the creators: "Blue Cupcake is a line of diabetes-inspired handmade letterpress greeting cards. Diabetes is often a thankless job, and the cards were designed to encourage and acknowledge all the hard work that goes into managing diabetes! Each card also features the Blue Circle, the symbol of diabetes. Blue Cupcake Variety Packs come with any combination of three cards. Each card has three options for the inner message, with fun phrases like "Have a cupcake!" and "You rock!" Blue Cupcake cards will bring a smile to the face of your loved one... just like a real cupcake!

Blue Cupcake is a for-PWDs, by-PWDs production. Blue Cupcake is owned by Allison Nimlos, who has had type 1 diabetes for almost 19 years and recently returned to school to become a diabetes educator. The cards are printed by Erica Schoonmaker, a graphic designer who has had type 1 for 13 years."

To enter today's contest: Have you ever done something to celebrate a diabetes milestone - an anniversary of diagnosis, an A1C result, or something else? Share it in the comments below! The two winners will be selected shortly after 7:00pm CST tonight, so make sure your comment is timestamped before then. This is open to U.S. addresses only!

For more information on what "Give All The Things" is about, visit the original post.

#GiveAllTheThings: Insulin Pen Reminders.

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Here's how the winners shook out:

Kristina: Solostar
Emily: Solostar and Kwikpen
Princess LadyBug: Solostar and Kwikpen
Karin: Kwikpen
Dayle: Flexpen (2)
Lori: Flexpen

Congrats, all! Please email me at textingmypancreas (at) gmail (dot) com with where I should mail your Timesulin swag!

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Products: Three varieties of Timesulin insulin pen caps - I have nine, total, to give away!

Made possible by: Timesulin

Why you want this: Timesulin is a replacement cap for your insulin pen - the varieties I'm giving away will fit SoloStar, Kwikpen and Flexipen styles - that shows you how much time has elapsed since your last injection (or, rather, the last time you uncapped the pen. So don't be uncapping it all willy-nilly between injections.)

Here's where it gets even cooler: Timesulin is currently only available for sale to people in the EU and select countries around the world, which means that this is an exclusive US-first with this giveaway! The team tells me they are working hard to ensure that those of us using insulin pens in North America can get their hands on this device in the very near future. You can sign up to be alerted about their launch on this side of the pond by joining their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/timesulin) or signing up to receive their newsletter at www.timesulin.com.

I think this is such a good idea, and it makes me happy that I can give something away that can specifically benefit those of you who use MDI!

To enter today's contest: Leave a comment on this post telling me which style of insulin pen(s) you use. The reason I'm having you do that is that this gets a little tricky, as I have three of each of the three styles. I want to get the right caps to the right users, so I'll do my best to get the winners to match up to the products I have.

Anyhoo, leave your comment before 8:00pm CST tonight, and I'll update this post shortly after that with the winners!

Important note: The pens that Timesulin sent me can only be given away to winners in the U.S.

For more information on what "Give All The Things" is about, visit the original post.

#GiveAllTheThings: Books For Parents.

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to the winner: 

Roseann Milliken: You will cry, it's ok. You will be overwhelmed, it's ok. You will find a new normal. You will learn more than you ever thought possible about a disease, and push for more info. Take your time with your and your family's feelings (it is a family thing). Seek out blogs and web sites - there are others there who know how raw your emotions are and can provide hope for you and your CWD future! 

Please send me an email at textingmypancreas (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address!

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Products: Two books: one on parenting a child, and one on parenting a teen, with type 1 diabetes - written by author, blogger, advocate (and mother of a teen daughter with type 1) Moira McCarthy, and available to one winner!

Made possible by: Moira McCarthy / despitediabetes.com

Why you want this: CWD's review: "The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Juvenile Diabetes is a must read for parents of children newly or recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Writer MoiraMcCarthy, mother of a teen daughter with type 1, uses her years of experience to help others learn what to do in many real-world situations, like sleepovers and after school sports. She touches on almost every possible subject, using terminology that is easy to understand -- even for beginners. There's something for every parent in here. Highly Recommended."

And coming out in June of 2013, Teens and Diabetes: A Parent Survival Guide will be the latest edition from author, blogger and advocate Moira McCarthy. Moira will sign and send you one of the first copies available of the book.

About the author, according to the author: "Moira McCarthy almost never has a clean laundry room. Her cat is the only person in her home who almost never gets annoyed at her. She's rather loud sometimes and thinks everyone should laugh at her jokes. And she totally sneaks Peppermint Jo Jos while dieting."

(She also did a You Can Do This video earlier this year, while we filmed at the Friends For Life conference - did you catch it?)

To enter today's contest: If you could give one piece of advice either to someone recently diagnosed with diabetes, or to a parent of someone recently diagnosed, what would it be? Leave your one piece of advice in the comments below, and sign a name to it, by 8:00pm CST tonight! This post will be updated shortly after 8:00 with the name of the winner, and the contest is open to U.S. addresses only.

Good luck!

For more information on what "Give All The Things" is about, visit the original post.

#GiveAllTheThings: A Tote For Your Tummie.

UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to the winner of the Tummietote:

Briley: I would use the tummietote for running, skiing, tennis and especially walking. I have been thinking of investing in one of these, but I haven't gotten around to investigating!

And huzzah! to the winners of the ID wristbands:

Laura: The Tummietote would be perfect for my girls when marching in the local parades.

Kelly Harp: I could totally see my daughter wearing this when she dances with Just Dance 4- her Christmas gift ;-) She's such an active girl this would help keep her pump still.

Michelle A.: I would love to use this for running my 5K through the Lincoln Tunnel in April! This would also be great for whenever I am at the gym - I wind up disconnecting for my cardio classes and worrying about correcting for highs later. I can't believe I could Zumba and keep my pump connected! This is too awesome! :)

Please email me at textingmypancreas (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing addresses!

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Products: One Tummietote belt with a clear view window (retails for US$35; pick any size or color/pattern you'd like) and three Tallygear ID wristbands (retails for $7.95; medical or personal ID - your pick) - there will be four winners today!

Made possible by: Tallygear

Why you want this: First, I want to make a disclosure on this giveaway - Donna from Tallygear offered to send me a free Tummietote and Tallygear ID wristband, in addition to sponsoring this giveaway. (This is the only sponsor that has sent something specifically for me to keep.) I've never seen her products in person, but I know that many of my buddies with diabetes use and love them, and that's good enough for me. I very much appreciate Donna's double generosity with this giveaway, and I'm anxious to see her stuff in person!

Here are some details on the Tummietote up for grabs:

• The Tummietote belt is a lightweight, soft-sided small personal item storage belt. It can be used to carry many tech devices (insulin pump, CGM-continuous glucose monitor, cell phone, personal music player) along with many small items (cash, credit card, keys, snacks, testing supplies) securely and discreetly.
• The belt is made from the highest quality spandex/nylon/lycra fabric, and has (3) six inch storage pockets with heavy duty velcro closures. The belt also has a six inch adjustable heavy duty velcro waist closure and it is approximately 3 inches wide. The belt comes in 4 sizes to fit 18" to 44" waist. Custom sizes are made.
• The Tummietote has some stretch to make the belt extremely comfortable to wear around your waist or on your hips. It can be worn as an accent to your outdit as a layered look or it can be hidden very discreetly and comfortably under your clothing.
• The Tummietote belt is also offered with 1 or 2 optional clear view vinyl windows so that you can view your tech device without ever taking it out of the pocket, saves time and is less of a hassle when you are pressed for time. Adjustments to your insulin pump, cellphone, Ipod, Iphone, CGM can be made directly through the heavy duty double polished pliable vinyl window. The size of the window is 1 3/4" width x 3" length made of 20 mil heavy duty clear view pliable vinyl.

The ID wristband has a pull-out tag that can be customized with your information - find out more about those here.


To enter today's contest: Leave a comment on this post telling me what kinds of activities you'd use a Tummietote or ID wristband for! Personally, I'm seeing Dance Central 3, cleaning house, and shoveling snow (we are going to get snow before the month is over, right?) as some ideal Tummietote situations.

Make sure your comment is time-stamped before 7:00pm CST. This contest is open to all - not just U.S. addresses! Remember that Give All The Things! is intended for people living with diabetes (and their caregivers).

For more information on what "Give All The Things" is about, visit the original post.