Product Placement Wednesday - The Amber Special

I realize that I have been taking some liberties with the "products" lately and this week will be no different. This week's product is in honor of my dear friend Amber who sadly passed away a year ago.


Amber was the type of girl that would light up a room just by entering it. Her energy was infectious and her smile was naturally perfect. You would want to hate her for having been spared the agony of braces but she was too nice to hate. While I met Amber in 5th grade, our friendship grew over the years and we graduated high school as dear friends. It wasn't until 2007 that we had our "friendaissance" and started traveling together with our other fabulous friend Megan. Traveling with Amber is where I first learned of today's product - The Amber Special.


Amber actually called "The Amber Special" the "Airport Special" and swore that you could go into any airport bar and they would know what you were talking about. Turns out that was not true but it didn't matter. According to Amber if you asked for the "Airport Special" you would get a special price on a beer & shot combo. We started joking that it was really just "The Amber Special" and once she passed away a mission was determined. Megan and I decided that the beer & shot combo that Amber so fondly referred to as the "Airport Special" should be known across the world as "The Amber Special".


That leads us to how you can help keep her memory alive. If you find yourself having the opportunity to order a beer and a shot together, make sure to call it "The Amber Special" and explain to the bartender why. It is really amazing how things like this can become viral.


I encourage you to have "The Amber Special" in honor of Amber on September 3 which is the day she left us. But only this year! From then on the day to have them going forward is her birthday - November 11. If you want to make it extra "Amber" be sure to stick an already chewed piece of gum on the side of your glass to save for "later".

Another great way to honor her life would be to become an organ donor. Amber was an organ donor but the realities of actually donating your organs is very complicated. Thankfully she was able to give the gift of sight to one or two people. That being said, you do not have to wait until the end of your life to give. Almost everyone is eligible to be a bone marrow donor and it is a very simple proceedure to register. I encourage you to click here to find out more. Amber was a very selfless and generous person so this is an amazing way to honor her memory.


I miss you girl.

Product Placement Wednesday - DKMS Bone Marrow Donor Center

Unfortunately we have all lost loved ones for a variety of reasons. I am sure most of you would have been willing to do anything to stop that from happening. This week's "product" will help you do just that for your extended friends and family.

A woman I have never met, but a fellow employee at my company, is in desperate need of a bone marrow donation. Matching bone marrow is a very tricky thing - basically a needle in a haystack. In order to up the odds of helping her and in turn others, my company is holding a bone marrow drive. While I am going to miss participating in the drive itself, the idea that something I have in abundance can save someone's life led me directly to the website to sign up online.

By registering with the DKMS Bone Marrow Donor Center, you have the potential to give the gift of life to another person. It does not cost you anything at any point in the process other a bit of your time if you are a match. In the grand scheme of life, giving up a little time to give someone else A LOT of time is completely worth it.

Registering is so easy - dare I say it's idiot proof? You barely have to get off your couch!

1. Click here to register online.

2. Once the packet arrives, swab the inside of your cheek.

3. Put the swab in the self-addressed, stamped envelope and toss it in the mail.

4. Save a life.

I encourage you to check out some of the stories on the website including how this organization was founded if you need further motivation to register.

Once you register to be a bone marrow donor, I challenge you to inspire others to register as well. Ways you can help spread the word include:

• Reposting this blog link or the direct link to DKMS on Facebook or Twitter.
• Forwarding either link via email.
• Spreading the word the old-fashioned way - verbally.
• Hosting your own bone marrow drive.

I would love to hear from those of you that register and how you chose to help spread the word! As always, feel free to post in the comments section (regardless if you are registered), on Facebook or by sending me a personal message. I hope that many of you will join me in this important opportunity to save lives.