BOSTON, Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Roses have a new meaning this Valentine's Day for people touched by diabetes around the world.  A group of diabetes advocates are harnessing the power of social media to encourage donations via their "Spare a Rose, Save a Child" initiative in support of the International Diabetes Federation's (IDF) Life for a Child program, which provides life-saving diabetes supplies to children in developing countries. 

The initiative asks people to consider sharing the value of one of the roses they may be planning to give a loved one this Valentine's Day with a child living with diabetes in the developing world who otherwise cannot afford insulin and diabetes care.

"'Spare a Rose, Save a Child' was an idea that emerged when a small group of us recently met to discuss how the diabetes community could use social media for social good," said Manny Hernandez, president of Diabetes Hands Foundation.  "We are asking anyone touched by diabetes to show their support to help to save the lives of children around the world."

During the week of February 10-16, multiple members of the Diabetes Online Community (DOC) will feature the "Spare a Rose, Save a Child" banner ad on their respective web sites, in addition to blogging, tweeting (#sparearose), and posting on Facebook in an effort to raise money and awareness for this important cause. 

"This Valentine's Day, we can show both our affection for our loved ones at home and give a little help to those we have so much in common with from around the world," said Kerri Sparling, of Six Until Me blog. "'Spare a Rose, Save a Child' is a simple, caring, but life-changing message.  And it shows that the diabetes online community takes care of one another, both online and off."

Any member of the online community wanting to support this effort can download the image to host on their site this week as well. Links to download the banner ad can be found at: http://sixuntilme.com/blog2/2013/02/spare_a_rose_save_a_child.html  

To make a donation directly to the Life for a Child program, please visit http://bit.ly/SpareRoseSaveChild.

The IDF estimates that there are approximately 366 million people in the world diagnosed with diabetes, and among them, 490,000 children with Type 1 diabetes under the age of 15. Unfortunately, many of these youth in developing countries need assistance due to lack of access to insulin, monitoring equipment and expert care. Life for a Child welcomes further support so that the IDF'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://bit.ly/SpareRoseSaveChild.

Established in 2001, the IDF's Life for a Child program is a sustainable and innovative support program in which individuals, families and organizations contribute monetary or in-kind donations to children living with diabetes in developing countries. The program is currently supporting over 10,500 children in 40 countries. It is managed by IDF in proud collaboration with the Australian Diabetes Council and HOPE worldwide. Find out more about Life for a Child at www.lifeforachild.org.

About the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organization of over 200 national diabetes associations in over 160 countries. It represents the interests of the growing number of people with diabetes and those at risk. The Federation has been leading the global diabetes community since 1950. IDF's mission is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. www.idf.org

About "Spare a Rose, Save a Child"

A small group of members of the diabetes online community gathered to discuss how to use social media for social good. "Spare a Rose, Save a Child" was born out of this meeting. Members of the DOC, who work to make a difference in the lives of people with diabetes everyday, have joined the effort with the goal to raise money and awareness for IDF's Life For a Child program. A group of supportive people at Johnson & Johnson helped maximize the initiative's outreach efforts.

SOURCE Diabetes Hands Foundation