BBK Worldwide and PatientsLikeMe have launched CallingAllTypes.com, an online social health initiative for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. CallingAllTypes.com is a vehicle for people to share their experiences with diabetes. Within seconds of individuals posting their thoughts, social media outlets including Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter will pick up their words, creating instantaneous viral awareness – a dynamic way to inform the public, including policy makers and health professionals, about the real toll diabetes takes on individuals and families. CallingAllTypes.com will donate $1 to the Atlanta chapter of the American Diabetes Association for each of the first 10,000 visitors who help to create the needed awareness about this condition by posting a comment during the month of November.

“We have created a one-stop rallying point for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to tell their stories,” said Bonnie A. Brescia, founding principal of BBK Worldwide,. “Awareness is the first step toward social change. And without public and private understanding of the devastating effect of this condition, we are in a weakened position to do anything about it. This makes social media the obvious choice to facilitate this type of change,” continues Brescia.

Calling All Types also encourages people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to become active members of online health communities so they can continue to share, learn, and benefit from peer-to-peer interaction. According to Pew Internet and American Life Project, when health consumers participate in organized and well-established online communities, they are better armed with the information they need to enhance interactions with their doctor and other healthcare professionals.