IDF Life for a Child Programme

In the year 2000, the International Diabetes Federation launched its humanitarian Life for a Child Programme to provide young people with diabetes in developing countries with the diabetes supplies, care and education they need to survive. For the latest updates on the Life for a Child Programme, please click here.

The IDF Diabetes Atlas (Sixth Edition, 2013) estimates that there are over 497,000 children under 15 years with type 1 diabetes. There is probably a similar number of youth with diabetes aged 15-25. However, the estimates for numbers of children and youth in many developing countries are uncertain due to lack of data. Additionally type 2 diabetes is on the increase in children and adolescents in all countries irrespective of socio-economic status. It is estimated that 80-100,000 children and youth around the world are in urgent need of assistance.

Lack of access to insulin remains the most common cause of death in a child with diabetes (Gale, 2006). The estimated life expectancy of a child who has just developed diabetes could be less than a year in some areas (Beran et al, 2005). Many die undiagnosed, others through lack of insulin or lack of expert care. In some countries, expert care is available but resources are limited therefore early and serious complications frequently lead to death in young adulthood.

Delegates of the IDF World Diabetes Congress and members of the general public in Vancouver who purchased the 5K@IDF runner shirts raised a total of USD 11,073.70 which was donated to the International Diabetes Federation Life for a Child Programme (LFAC). The donation will help fund acquisition and distribution of blood glucose meters and strips to countries supported by LFAC in Africa.