Hello John68...to be clear,  was not thinking Eric would not be involved other then telling us if he knew of  a pin in the same manner, his ideas would be important here also as well as his blessings if he wishes. Without them this will not get looked into or  put forward. Once the funds and expenses are met, Eric would receive a  the donation from that balance to help produce his work. There would be fees, artist, (not me) trademark if needed, someone to manage to the funds correctly, honestly and openly to those concerned in the product. Once fees are paid out, then Eric would benefit. All work into this would be on a volunteer basis, thus allowing more funds to move this site further forward as Eric sees fit. We have all benefited from his work, this would be a way to pay him to some extent.  We would have to take the ins around to see where we would sell them talking to managers of businesses first. Banks, Hospitals, doctors offices and maybe schools if there were a nurse and patient available to demonstrate what  the bag looks like and perhaps answer questions in order to educate. The cost would be receipt free if possible, a cost of maybe two dollars a pin would be appropriate and quick, depending on the cost of manufacturing. Dispersed thru each of us willing to do so to the local business around them, in there town. Maybe a limited edition pin.  A one time only thing. Further decisions based after that. Sponsors for the upfront cost...from...doctors? Holliter for example?...Coloplast or any ides are welcome here. Sponsors possibly paid back after sales are complete. We would need the accounting done on a professional basis, or three very honest people, all funds accounted for dollar for dollar. to avoid any problems with honesty...hopefully. My thought would be that Eric does no amount of work toward this other then his blessings and ideas. But...he will receiver the balance of donations paid out to him to support his Ostomy site. A one time gift. We are not all Vegan, I hope that will not become an issue with the people purchasing a pin, should this idea fly. How else do we repay someone for making such a tremendous difference in the quality or our lives and in those yet to come?  For those that are still dealing with illness, there will be limitations of course. Support groups can help spread the word also. How many people do you know? Family? Would they buy a pin?  Would the stoma nurses office sell them? Would you surgeon sell them in the office on the basis of education? Questions to ask and answer...still to come if this is okay with Eric. He may need time to think this over fully. Everything good takes time.   For my part...I will do what I can, I will even see if  Mike can donate his time and work but, but who knows. If we do not ask we will not know these things. No question is a stupid question here. Eric, if you want to say anything here please do so. If you say no, no hard feelings.  You may already know of something we do not. I hope this clears up what I was thinking anyways. Everyone's in put is welcome here. I have never done this before. I know it will take time and energy and work. If your ideas are helpful or knowledge available on this please tell us what you know.

Linda

Hi Linda, I admire your commitment to giving some thing back and we are privileged to have access to the forums. I just think this needs to be cleared first. :-) 

Hello all. 

It's nice to see you guys brainstorming ideas for an awareness pin. 

I actually have a "rosebud" stoma pin that I picked up at my last ostomy conference, and I'm pretty sure the UOAA was giving them out. Have a look at the photo. 

They may still have these available or may be able to give you the name of the company who did it for them. 

I personally would have zero time to commit to such a project, and I don't want to use VeganOstomy to sell or promote things like that (it opens up a huge can of worms for me).

I would suggest that if you do want to move forward, try to connect with a group like the Get Your Belly Out campaign or the Great Bowel Movement as they both offer awareness merchandise and likely already have sources to make these things a reality. 

Eric...thank you for the picture. That is not at all what I had in mind for the pin. This is interesting tho and it certainly looks more like a stoma than where I was going. I had in mind a side view of a real rose for the jump off point.  I guess we will see what happens as several are dealing with on going disease, and time and health will be an issue.

Yup !! That's the pin.  Amen on this……….