CHESTERBROOK, Pennsylvania, November 3, 2014 – LifeScan, Inc. (Lifescan), part of the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Solutions Companies, announced that between November 1 and November 30, it will donate 100 blood glucose monitoring test strips to the International Diabetes Federation’s Life for a Child program for every posting connected to the social media campaign, #WalkWithD. The initiative is in support of World Diabetes Day on November 14.
#WalkWithD was introduced this fall by the Partnering for Diabetes Change (P4DC) coalition. This social media campaign is dedicated to increasing visibility and understanding of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, while also dispelling common stigmas associated with these diseases. Using various social media platforms to shed light on diabetes, all are invited to share stories, comments, photos, and videos accompanied with the #WalkWithD hashtag.
Life for a Child was established in 2000, an innovative program in which individuals, families, and organizations contribute money or in-kind donations that currently help over 14,000 children and youth with diabetes in 46 countries.
“We are pleased to support these two important programs that seek to improve the lives of people with diabetes and encourage global participation in celebration of World Diabetes Day,” said Val Asbury, president, LifeScan, Inc. “We can provide supplies to children by leveraging the power of social media.”
In November, for every social media post on Facebook, Flickr, Google Plus, Instagram, Twitter, and Vine that includes the #WalkWithD hash tag, LifeScan will donate 100 diabetes test strips to Life for a Child, up to a maximum of one million test strips. #WalkWithD posts in November will be tallied and announced on www.p4dc.com. To view #WalkWithD posts or to learn more, please visit http://www.p4dc.com/walkwithd/.
Even with these donations, thousands of children are still in desperate need of help. The IDF estimates that there are over 497,000 children under age 15 with type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is also on the rise in children and adolescents in all countries. Unfortunately, many of these youth lack insulin, monitoring equipment, and expert care. Life for a Child welcomes further support so that the International Diabetes Federation’s vision of ‘No Child Should Die of Diabetes’ can be realized. To take part in this worldwide initiative by making a charitable donation, please visit http://www.idf.org/lifeforachid/donate.
About P4DC
Partnering for Diabetes Change (P4DC) is a coalition of people living with diabetes and of industry representatives who seek to address unmet needs in diabetes. P4DC aims to validate the role of peer support in diabetes management, minimize the stigma of diabetes, and ultimately support underserved communities. It was formed in January 2013.
About the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)
The mission of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is to promote diabetes care, prevention, and a cure worldwide. It is an umbrella organization of over 230 national diabetes associations in 170 countries and territories and represents the interests of the growing number of people with diabetes and those at risk. The IDF has been leading the global diabetes community since 1950.
About LifeScan and Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Solutions Companies
With a shared vision of creating a world without limits for people with diabetes, the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Solutions Companies is a collaboration of Johnson & Johnson companies dedicated to diabetes and includes Lifescan, Inc., a world leader in blood glucose monitoring; Animas Corporation, maker of innovative insulin delivery systems; Calibra Medical, Inc. developer of a unique 3-day wearable insulin patch; and the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute, LLC, a global initiative to improve care and better outcomes worldwide through education and training programs.
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Media Contact:
Dave Detmers
ddetmers@its.jnj.com
510-739-4370