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Diabetes UK: Second Life launch for diabetes campaign(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) RDATE:09102008 Diabetes UK has this week launched its Silent Assassin campaign' within the virtual 3-D world of Second Life". The charity launched both its headquarters and the campaign in the virtual world that boasts 15 million residents' to coincide with its biggest ever UK-wide campaign - created to raise awareness of the seriousness of diabetes. Virtual campaign posters have been put up in and around the new Diabetes UK Second Life headquarters, situated on Manchester Island". Further posters have been placed around the island, including inside the charity's virtual shop, that allow users of the virtual world or avatars' to teleport themselves to the Diabetes UK virtual building where further information about the campaign and the charity can be sourced. Designated pages for the campaign have also gone live on the charity's Facebook, Bebo and MySpace social networking sites4 and a campaign e-newsletter has been sent to over 15,000 people. The Silent Assassin campaign highlights that diabetes causes heart disease, stroke, amputations, kidney failure and blindness but by leading a healthier lifestyle or improving diabetes control the risk of developing these serious complications can be minimised. "We hope that by developing new methods of communication using social media sites such as Second Life, Facebook and MySpace we will be able to increase the reach of our awareness campaigning and key messages - both to people in the UK as well as internationally.", explains Graeme Manuel, Diabetes UK Web Editor. "Awareness of the symptoms and devastating complications of diabetes among young people is becoming increasingly important. People now get their information from more diverse sources and so it's vital we expand our communications channels to mirror this and better reach our target groups." Visit Diabetes UK on Manchester Island (grid ref. 21cc) at Second Life - http://secondlife.com Learn how to beat the Silent Assassin at www.diabetes.org.uk/SilentAssassin For further media information or information on how to experience Diabetes UK in Second Life please contact Huw Beale or Maria Lam at Diabetes UK Press office on 0207 424 1165 or email [email protected]. For urgent out of hours media enquiries, please call 07711 176 028. Notes to editor 1 Information about the Diabetes UK Silent Assassin campaign and the campaign report can be accessed online at www.diabetes.org.uk/SilentAssassin 2 Second Life is a 3-D virtual world created by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by millions of Residents from around the globe - http://secondlife.com/ 3 Manchester Island can be found at grid reference 21cc - also known as 21cc island'. 4 Visit Diabetes UK's social networking pages - Facebook, MySpace, Bebo 5 Diabetes UK is the charity for people with diabetes. We fund more than GBP7 million of medical research every year, provide information and support to people with diabetes and campaign on their behalf. For more information visit www.diabetes.org.uk 6 In the UK, there are currently 2.3 million people diagnosed with diabetes and it is estimated that more than half a million people have the condition but do not know it. 7 The Diabetes UK Careline (0845 120 2960) offers information and support on any aspect of managing diabetes. The line is a lo-call number and opens Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (operates a translation service). Recorded information on a number of diabetes-related topics is also available on this number 24 hours a day. 8 Membership of Diabetes UK is from GBP22 a year with special rates available. In addition to our bi-monthly magazine Balance, members receive support and the latest information on diabetes care and treatments to help them live a healthy life. Beware the Silent Assassin. Diabetes causes more deaths than breast and prostate cancer combined. Learn how to beat it at www.diabetes.org.uk/SilentAssassin Search the web and raise funds for Diabetes UK at www.everyclick.com/diabetesuk/ Diabetes UK, the charity that cares about people with diabetes Diabetes UK is the operating name of The British Diabetic Association, a company limited by guarantee. Registered as a company in England & Wales No. 339181. Registered as a charity in England & Wales (No. 215199) and in Scotland (No. SC039136). VAT registration No. 232 3801 96. Registered address: Macleod House, 10 Parkway, London NW1 7AA. CONTACT: Huw Beale, Press Officer, Diabetes UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7424 1152 Tel: +44 (0)20 7424 1000 Tel: +44 (0)7711 176 028 (out of hours) Fax: +44 (0)20 7424 1080 e-mail: [email protected] WWW: http://www.diabetes.org.uk ((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected])). Copyright ? 2008 M2 Communications Ltd. |