Ascensia Diabetes Care backs Spare a Rose campaign for fifth consecutive year

A global diabetes care company has announced that it will be supporting an international diabetes fundraising campaign for the fifth consecutive year. 

Ascensia Diabetes Care has declared that it will once again support the flagship campaign Spare a Rose, an annual event which raises funds for a diabetes-related charity.

The campaign, which is organised by members of the diabetes community, encourages people to donate the money that they would otherwise spend on a rose on Valentine’s Day to charity.

Previously, Spare a Rosie has raised almost $400,000 for its former charity partner, Life for a Child.

This year, the campaign’s beneficiary will be Insulin for Life, a charity which provide insulin, supplies, education and advocacy to help save the lives of people with diabetes in disadvantaged regions.

The charity accomplishes these goals by providing insulin, diabetes supplies and education to those in need. To date, Insulin for Life has sent supplies to over 74 countries around the world.

Chris Aldred, a diabetes advocate and blogger, said: “The success of previous campaigns and the help of corporate partners like Ascensia have saved the lives of thousands of children and young people in underserved countries.

“Life for a Child supports children up to 26 years old but young adults have the same needs. That’s why this year, as a community, we decided to direct donations from the Spare a Rose campaign to Insulin for Life to extend our support to them too.”

Ascensia is encouraging its 1500 employees to donate to Spare a Rose and has committed to matching their donations up to one rose, or $5, per employee, plus an initial $5,000 donation.

Ascensia and its employees are one of the largest fundraisers for this campaign to date, having raised a total exceeding $56,000 over the past few years.

Robert Schumm, President at Ascensia Diabetes Care, said: “The Spare a Rose campaign was created by the diabetes community, for the diabetes community, and we are incredibly proud to support it for the fifth year in a row.

“At Ascensia, it’s hugely important for us to support the global diabetes community and actively live our value ‘Only Diabetes’.

“I am always impressed with the generosity and enthusiasm of our employees that surrounds this initiative.”

He added: “The campaign has played an essential role in saving the lives of children and young adults with diabetes around the world. We are pleased to see the campaign will now benefit adults with diabetes through Insulin for Life after witnessing the difference it was able to make in the past.

“Over the past few years, crucial supplies were delivered to children living with diabetes in countries with significant need thanks to this campaign and its organisers. I encourage both our Ascensia colleagues as well as and people outside of our organization to donate what they can to this worthwhile cause.”

To make a donation to Spare a Rosie, click here.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash