Organ Donor Awareness Week

Organ Donor Awareness Week which is organised by the Irish Kidney Association and supported by the Irish Donor Network takes place from 28th March until 4th April 2009. The annual life saving awareness campaign aims to highlight to the general public the plight of people with organ failure and the ongoing need for organ donation for transplantation encouraging more people to make an informed decision to carry an organ donor card and to donate their organs in the event of their untimely death. There are currently over 600 people in Ireland awaiting life saving transplant operations.In Ireland last year, there were 146 kidney transplants, 58 liver, 4 heart and 4 lung transplants. 12 pancreas were transplanted simultaneously with a kidney transplant.

By shopping at GiftsandVouchers.ie you can buy a voucher or gift for someone AND donate 5% to the Irish Kidney Assocaiation AND receive a 5% discount by entering the word 'kidney' as the promotion code during check-out.

In May 1994 I became one of the many Irish people to suffer from end stage renal failure. It happened to me overnight due to a rare blood disease. I was admitted to St Vincents Hospital Dublin where initially they thought I had leukemia due to my blood count of 4. I remained in hospital for 4 months where I have Professor Alan Watson and his team to thank for keeping me alive. I developed dilated cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure, epilepsy, septicemia, double pneumonia, liver problems to name a few. In the end I had a tube put directly into my stomach to feed me. I had little time left and then I got the call every transplant patient waits for and prays for. But at the same time you feel a guilt for because you know another family has lost somebody. And for this we thank you so much. That in your time of grief and pain you can do so much for others. In May 1995 such a Family did this for me and I had my transplant and I still have my transplant. I slowly built my life back up. And boy it was great! Organ donation means so much to people like me and our families.

Throughout the Week, Irish Kidney Association volunteers will be out on the streets and in shopping centres throughout the country selling 'forget me not flower' emblems (the symbol of transplantation), brooches, magnetic car ribbons and organ donor key rings. Proceeds will go to the Irish Kidney Association’s support programme for patients on dialysis and those patients fortunate enough to have a kidney transplant. The Irish Kidney Association is the organisation charged with the promotion and distribution of the organ donor card in Ireland on behalf of all patient groups with an interest in organ donation who form the Irish Donor Network.

Information fact files which accompany organ donor cards can be obtained (free of charge) from the Irish Kidney Association and are available nationwide from pharmacies, GP surgeries and Citizen Information Offices. Organ Donor Cards can also be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association LoCall 1890 543639 or Freetext the word DONOR to 50050. Click here if you wish to apply online for your Donor Card

These cards are so important and so vital at letting people know your wishes in case you can't. Please take the time to get one and fill it out. Make sure your loved ones have one and that you know what their wishes are. It could save so many lives, and you never know how close it could be to you.

Sian xx

World Vision & Gifts and Vouchers

Gifts and Vouchers is delighted to be working with World Vision Ireland. We are selling Charity Gifts on their behalf and 100% of your purchase will go to World Vision. World Vision Ireland has launched an appeal for 1500 new child sponsors to support children and communities living in poverty across Africa. We have sponsored a wonderful boy called Felix in Uganda for the last 6 years now and would encourage anybody who can, to do so.

Speaking at the launch of the Appeal, World Vision Ireland Chief Executive Helen Keogh, called for Irish people to consider the benefits of child sponsorship, “By sponsoring a child, you will help to bring clean water, food, healthcare and education to a child in desperate need, as well as bringing about long-term changes in their community."

Child sponsors receive regular updates about how the community where their child is from is developing. They can also write and send photos to their sponsored child. TV3 presenter, Lorraine Keane, sponsors a boy from Tanzania, through World Vision Ireland. 'I have been sponsoring Vicente from Tanzania for 8 years now, since he was 7 years old. It is so rewarding for me and my family to see his progress and know that we are helping him and his community. Such a small gesture on our part can make such a difference in the lives of those less fortunate' said Lorraine.

Almost 14,000 Irish people currently sponsor children through World Vision Ireland. World Vision Ireland child sponsorship costs €25 a month. That’s just 83c a day to change a child’s life.
For more information, or to sponsor a child, please call 01 498 0800 or go to http://www.worldvision.ie/

The team at World Vision can also be followed on their blog as they prepare for their Mini Marathon! Good luck girls! I did it a few years ago on behalf of the Irish Kidney Association.

Sian

A Kitchen Tool for every occasion!

How would you rate yourself in the kitchen? Would you be a Rachel Allen or a James Martin. And would you be an adventurous chef like Heston Blumenthal? I have to say I love cooking but I am about as adventurous in kitchen as Marlon Dingle in Emmerdale! Despite all the food pyramids I am not great with all the different veg. Rice and pasta you can forget about it. I am a thoroughbred spud woman and proud of it. And I will cook them and devour them in millions of different ways!! When I moved away from Killarney many years ago, and left the Ulster Bank we went for dinner in the fabulous Randle Court Hotel. The then Manageress very kindly organised with the Chef to have several varieties of potatoes cooked in different ways! Good times!!

But for the gourmet and the more accomplished chef in the kitchen you will find endless gift ideas for others and for yourself with some of our Partner Businesses such The Kitchen Dresser, Kevin McAllister Electrical and Garrendenny Lane Living Interiors!! You may go onto Giftsandvouchers.ie with an idea for somebody else and leave with a basketful of gifts for yourself! And you can setup your Wedding list or Gift/Wish list across all of these businesses. What about the Grunwerg Cooking Torch that you always see the Pros use on the cookery shows adding the perfect touches to creme brulees and the likes. Or the extensive range of Le Creuset cooking utensils which make any kitchen look fantastic and also cooking easier. The Kenwood Stand Mixer will create the most divine cakes and buns and is recommended by all the top chefs. It is on my gift list for my Birthday! I cannot bake for my life. I made a hedgehog birthday cake for my son for his birthday a few years ago. It was my last and final attempt. People accused him of being an extra from Trainspotting! Marshmallows for eyes may not have been a good idea!

I hope all of these fabulous ranges will give you food for thought!

Sian x

Feelgood for Mothers Day!

Giftsandvouchers.ie is delighted to welcome on board Ireland's only organic hamper company Feelgood Hampers. Each product in a Feelgood Organic Hamper, has been handpicked and chosen by Founder & Managing Director Amanda Webb and her devoted team. They are selected not only for their exceptional taste and quality, but also for their impeccable eco-friendly and organic credentials.

Amanda, who describes herself as a 'green gastronome' believes strongly that you don't have to give up on taste and luxury to be eco-friendly and committed to organic produce. She is fanatical about handpicking all the products herself. She chooses from specific, certified organic suppliers and artisan producers within Ireland, where possible. And if it is not possible to source a product within Ireland she endeavours to choose fair trade products.

Amanda's Hampers are a gastronomic delight! And they are beautifully presented in a stylish and recyclable gift box continuing the theme of the Business. There are Hampers perfect for weddings, new homes, chocoholics, new babies and a couple which would be perfect for Mothers Day:

The Salad Box Hamper

The Pamper Bath Gift Box

The Chocolate Factory

I know where I will be sending my Husband this week!!

Sian x

International Women's Day

This coming Thursday is International Women's Day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. The first International Women's Day was held in 1911. There will be events held all over the world to mark these achievements and to celebrate being a woman. As a female starting out in business I have been delighted with all of the support I have come across in Ireland and online. I have to say it has been great. Regardless of gender I have found that the support network in this country is fantastic. All you have to do is ask.

The first port of call I started with when I started looking into my business idea was iamawahm.com. This site is run by Darina Loakman and she gives an invaluable resource to woman who are either working from home or thinking about it. I then moved onto the irishbusinesswomen.com forum which is not only used by women but also by some men!! Frank Fullard set up this forum and it has answered not only a lot of my problems but kept me sane! Womeninenterprise.net by Margaret Andrews was another and Margaret gave me great advice at crucial times and I am sure she has helped many others. There is the networkireland.ie which have groups around the country to help you meet women in different businesses and network.

Then came Twitter and Blogs. Ask a question on Twitter and you can be sure if anybody can help you they will. It is not just a social networking tool, it is a helpline, a human google, a detective agency and a group of friends that you know by avatars and 140 characters. I have struggled with Blogs. I know I am supposed to promote my business but then you ramble and get sidetracked. There are great blogs for women such as womens-blogger-directory . So I will keep working on these and aspire to the likes of our famous beaut.ie and Suzy Byrne at mamanpoulet.

In the meantime cheers to all of the wonderful women out there and thank you to the men who support us along the way!!!

Babycubes sales are on the up!

Due to running a tighter ship at home. Parents are turning to home cooking to save on their shopping budget. They didn't realise how cost effective it is to home cook and Freeze. And you also know exactly what foods you are giving your child. Since December our Partner Business, Baby Moments, have recorded a massive increase in sales and the demand is huge with their retailers to try and keep these Baby Cubes on the shelf.

Babycubes come in 2 sizes and both sets have lids that are attached to the pot so this rules out loss of the lids. With Stage 1 you get 10, 35ml pots, that are dishwasher safe, microwave safe and of course they can be put in the freezer. Stage 2 you get 8, 70ml pots and they also attach to the tray provided so they can all be put in the dishwasher at the same time. They will also stay secure in the tray.

A great gift for a new Mum or even a treat for yourself!