Anthony Anderson Joins the 'Cast' of Lilly's F.A.C.E. Diabetes Initiative

NEW YORK, June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Teaming up with Eli Lilly and Company, actor and comedian Anthony Anderson is stepping into the spotlight as the newest face of F.A.C.E. Diabetes – the national Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered initiative – to help motivate African-Americans with diabetes to take control of their disease. With the F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative, Anderson will travel to various cities throughout the year, starting with the Real Men Cook Father's Day Event in New York City.

Anderson, familiar to TV viewers as Detective Kevin Bernard of Law & Order and to movie-goers in the recent film The Back-up Plan, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about seven years ago. "At first, I felt completely confident that I could beat the disease," says Anderson, "but it wasn't until recently that I experienced a wake-up call and actually started making changes to my lifestyle to actively manage my diabetes." Anderson presently works with a medical team to properly control his diabetes: he maintains a healthier diet, exercises regularly, and takes his medication as directed.

Now, he wants to help others to do the same. On June 20, as the first of several appearances this year, Anderson and Lilly's F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative will take part in Real Men Cook's Father's Day Event in New York City, where he'll speak about his personal experience with the disease that affects nearly 24 million Americans.(1) The food-sampling and family celebration event features a wide assortment of meals cooked by men with a goal of focusing positive attention on the male role within the African-American family and community. The event, being held at the Mission Society's Minisink Townhouse, will feature practical tips from a Certified Diabetes Educator on nutrition and physical activity to make day-to-day living with diabetes more manageable. Visitors will also be invited to enjoy a live, interactive cooking demonstration with the Hebni Nutrition Consultants, creators of "The New Soul Food Pyramid."

Lilly's F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative was created in 2008 to help foster behavioral and attitudinal changes in areas critical to success in helping to manage diabetes. Based on in-depth research into the concerns of African-Americans with diabetes, insights from physicians and national and local health advocacy organizations, the program includes a comprehensive online component, www.FACE-Diabetes.com, which provides diabetes information specifically targeted to African-Americans, as well as health and nutrition tips, recipes, and more.

"F.A.C.E. Diabetes is a movement started by Lilly in a response to a disease that is hitting African-American communities especially hard,'' said Bertika Quintero, Brand Director for Lilly Diabetes Outreach Initiatives, noting that the average African-American born today has a 50 percent chance of developing diabetes in his or her lifetime.(2) The impact of diabetes is "staggering," she says, pointing to statistics that show:

• While 7.8% of all Americans have diabetes, among African-Americans the prevalence is 14.7%(3)
• Rates of the dangerous complications of uncontrolled diabetes are higher; African-Americans with are more than twice as likely to suffer kidney failure or have a lower limb amputated.(4)

Fortunately, Real Men Cook is also dedicated to lowering these rates. "Now in our 20th year, Real Men Cook has a long tradition of reducing health disparities, particularly in black communities nationwide with the annual Father's Day family celebration," said author and Real Men Charities, Inc. board member Michael James, Ph.D. "We are excited to partner with Lilly's F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative this year to offer attendees a more robust educational experience focused predominately on diabetes."

About the F.A.C.E. Diabetes Campaign

The Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (F.A.C.E.) Diabetes initiative is a grassroots movement targeting African-Americans in the United States to help individuals, families, and neighborhoods overcome key barriers to success in living with diabetes. It is supported by Eli Lilly and Company, and national and local health advocacy organizations.  For additional information about the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign and/or events, go to www.FACE-Diabetes.com.

About Lilly Diabetes

For more than 85 years, Lilly has been a worldwide leader in pioneering industry-leading solutions to support people living with and treating diabetes. Lilly introduced the world's first commercial insulin in 1923, and remains at the forefront of medical and delivery device innovation to manage diabetes. Lilly is also committed to providing solutions beyond therapy - practical tools, education, and support programs to help overcome barriers to success along the diabetes journey. At Lilly, the journeys of each person living with or treating diabetes inspire ours. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers - through medicines and information - for some of the world's most urgent medical needs.  Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.  

P = LLY

(1) National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. National Diabetes Statistics.  http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/statistics/#allages. Accessed March 26, 2010.

(2) Shaw G. Black Men and Diabetes: Preventing It, Managing It. WebMD. Available at: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52361. Accessed May 11, 2010.

(3) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2007.pdf. Accessed May 13, 2010.

(4) American Diabetes Association. African Americans & Complications. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/african-americans-and-complications.html. Accessed May 13, 2010.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO )

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company