Here is a great excuse to put your design skills to good use:

The 2009 DiabetesMine Design Challenge

21 Million Americans live with diabetes, yet the devices we rely on generally don't hold a candle to the sleek design of consumer electronics (think iPod)... So patients are going "grassroots" to improve the design of tools for treating diabetes:

Do you have an idea for an innovative new diabetes device or web application? This is your chance to win up to $10,000 to realize your design concept, and potentially help transform life with diabetes for millions of people.

This competition is open to all. We welcome entries from any individuals or organizations passionate about diabetes and product design--patients, parents, caregivers, students, entrepreneurs, developers, engineers, etc. We also welcome entries from kids under age 18, which will be judged in a separate category.

Deadline: May 1st, 2009

PRIZES - $10,000 in cash for the Grand Prize winner - $5,000 cash for the "Most Creative Idea" category winner - $2,000 cash for the winner of the Kids' Category