Award-winning Diabetes Documentary Life for a Child Available Free Online at Hulu.com

Film follows the inspiring journeys of children with diabetes in the developing world

NEW YORK, May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Life for a Child, the inspirational documentary produced by Lilly Diabetes is now available for free download on the video sharing site Hulu.com. Visitors to Hulu can view the entire 28-minute film, which brings to light the life-or-death plight of children with diabetes in the developing world.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110531/DC11201LOGO-a)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110531/DC11201LOGO-b)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110531/DC11201LOGO-c)

Directed by Academy Award-nominee Edward Lachman, the film follows the journeys of children with type 1 diabetes in Nepal, one the world's poorest countries. The children are supported with medication and care through the International Diabetes Federation (IDF's) Life for a Child Programme, which operates in 29 countries.

The Life for a Child film was produced by Lilly Diabetes, a global leader in diabetes treatment, in cooperation with IDF, the world's leading diabetes advocacy organization, to raise awareness of the devastating impact of diabetes and increase support for the Life for a Child Programme. It is presented in association with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the world's largest charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research.

IDF estimates there are 480,000 children with type 1 diabetes under the age of 15 worldwide.

"No child should die of diabetes, yet many still do," said Graham Ogle, M.D., IDF's Life for a Child Programme Manager. "All children with diabetes deserve the best healthcare possible, and the chance to live a full and healthy life. In many developing countries, the average life expectancy of children with diabetes is unknown due to a lack of awareness, education and evidence. In some countries, there are few, if any, long-term survivors of type 1 diabetes."

Lilly Diabetes is a major, long-term corporate supporter of the Life for a Child Programme. In 2008, Lilly Diabetes pledged to deliver more than 800,000 vials of insulin over four years to the Life for a Child Programme, , to enable the supply of insulin to 24,000 children throughout Africa and other parts of the world. Initial shipments to more than 3,000 children in 12 countries began in 2010 through the IDF and partner organizations. This first shipment alone allowed IDF to substantially increase the number of children served by the Programme worldwide.

"The availability of this documentary through Hulu.com is an important step for the film and for the IDF's Life for a Child Programme itself," said Robert Heine, vice president of medical affairs, Lilly Diabetes. "The Life for a Child film illustrates the everyday challenges of diabetes—and the added complexities of managing this condition in the developing world. Importantly, it underscores the critical role the Life for a Child Programme plays in getting medicine and care to families in need."

The Life for a Child film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in April 2008 and made its European Premiere at the Vienna International Film Festival in the fall of 2008. In March 2009, it was honored as Best Documentary Short at California's Cinequest Film Festival, and has been screened in more than a dozen countries. On World Diabetes Day 2009 (November 14), the film made its world television premiere on the Sundance Channel.

Life for a Child was filmed in October 2007 in Kathmandu and the rugged mountainous Sindhuli region of Nepal, following the stories of three children and the sacrifices of their families:

• 11-year-old Anupa, who walks four hours through treacherous mountain passes simply to reach the bus that will take her to a clinic for treatment.
• 16-year-old Ashok, who dreams of becoming a teacher but struggles to balance his studies and work in the fields with insulin treatment.
• 3-year-old Angi, diagnosed with diabetes at just 18 months old, whose family moved to the city to stay close to the hospital, the only place they can receive care.

"Living with type 1 diabetes is a challenge 24-7, and we welcome efforts that call attention to the need for better treatments and a cure for this difficult disease. As we search for a cure, we can and must do more to help people live better, healthier, and longer lives with the disease no matter where they live," said Claire Schultz, senior vice president of marketing and communications for JDRF. "Projects like IDF's Life for a Child Programme bring a spotlight of support to some of the most vulnerable people who suffer from this disease, and JDRF is proud to partner again with these organizations who share our commitment to people with diabetes."

The film is also available for digital download on Amazon.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to support IDF's Life for a Child Programme.

About the Life for a Child Programme

Inspiring the documentaries is the Life for a Child Programme, which provides access to care, education and life-saving medicines and supplies to support children with diabetes in 29 of the poorest countries around the world, including the Democratic Republic of Congo. Life for a Child was established by the International Diabetes Federation in collaboration with Diabetes Australia-NSW and HOPE worldwide. Eli Lilly and Company, Rotary International and other sponsors, including individual donors, provide financial support. For more information, visit www.lifeforachild.org.

About the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organisation of over 220 member associations in more than 160 countries, representing over 285 million people with diabetes, their families, and their healthcare providers. The mission of IDF is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. For more information, visit www.idf.org.

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF)

JDRF is the worldwide leader for research to cure type 1 diabetes. It sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science world-wide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, and can be fatal. Until a cure is found, people with type 1 diabetes have to test their blood sugar and give themselves insulin injections multiple times or use a pump - each day, every day of their lives. And even with that intensive care, insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its potential complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation. Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.5 billion to diabetes research, including $107 million last year. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education. For more information, please visit www.jdrf.org.

About Lilly Diabetes

As part of our long-standing commitment to diabetes care, Lilly is dedicated to providing patients with breakthrough treatments that may help them live full and active lives.

Since 1923, Lilly has been involved in pioneering therapies to help healthcare providers improve the lives of people with diabetes, and research continues on innovative medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. To learn more about Lilly Diabetes, visit www.LillyDiabetes.com.

About Eli Lilly and Company

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

P-LLY

SOURCE Lilly Diabetes