Lilly Diabetes and the American Diabetes Association Partner to Send 88 Children With Diabetes to American Diabetes Association Diabetes Camps in 2011

Opportunity for children to gain confidence and learn critical diabetes management skills in traditional summer camp settings

INDIANAPOLIS and ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today Lilly Diabetes announced it will help children with diabetes attend summer camp by donating 88 scholarships to the American Diabetes Association's (Association) 2011 campership program – one scholarship for each year Lilly Diabetes has supported the needs of those living with diabetes, beginning in 1923 when Lilly introduced the world's first commercial insulin.

Attending an Association Diabetes Camp is often a foundational experience for young children and teens learning to manage their disease and gives them the chance to make friends, gain independence, and learn more about their disease in a safe and fun environment.

The camperships, equivalent to $88,000, will give children living with diabetes from low-income families the opportunity to attend Diabetes Camp for approximately one week. Camperships are awarded based on financial need, and families can apply directly to the Diabetes Camp they want their child to attend.

The American Diabetes Association is the single largest operator of Diabetes Camps for children with diabetes, with 53 camps located throughout the U.S. Diabetes Camps serve children with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes which affects approximately 215,000 children under the age of 20. Since 2000, Lilly Diabetes has been the largest provider of insulin and other diabetes medicines, educational materials, volunteers, scholarships, and special guests to the Association's Diabetes Camps.

"Diabetes Camps are critical in the development of important skills children need to manage their diabetes for a lifetime," said John W. Griffin, Jr., Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association. "Equally important and profound is their discovery that they can be 'just like everyone else,' making the Diabetes Camp experience even more special. The American Diabetes Association's mission is to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes, and that means 88 more children now will have the opportunity to see for themselves what's possible with diabetes, thanks in part to these camperships."

For many children and teens, Diabetes Camps can help facilitate the early stages of gaining comfort with, and acceptance of, their disease. For them, Diabetes Camp provides:

• Interaction with counselors, many of whom also have diabetes, who serve as role models
• Opportunities to learn how to balance nutrition, physical activity, and diabetes self-care
• The chance to increase their confidence and meet friends who understand what it is like to manage diabetes daily

In addition to ongoing insulin and campership donations since 2000, Lilly Diabetes' support of Diabetes Camps includes a broad range of programs and services that help bring the camp experience to life for each attendee. Lilly offers annual motivational speaker visits by three-time Olympic cross-country skier Kris Freeman, diabetes educational kits for campers contained in a sturdy LL Bean® book pack, caregiver educational kits, and Lilly Diabetes employee volunteers for Diabetes Camps that need an extra hand.

"Lilly Diabetes is committed to providing the tools and resources to help children with diabetes and their caregivers while they're at Diabetes Camp—and long after," said Steve Sugino, Vice President of Lilly Diabetes USA. "It is our privilege to deliver these programs to support a memorable camp experience and to help improve the lives of children with diabetes."

For more information on the Association's Diabetes Camps and how to apply for a campership, visit www.diabetes.org/camp. Additional information about Lilly Diabetes' support of Diabetes Camps can be found by logging onto www.lillydiabetes.com.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

About Lilly Diabetes

For more than 85 years, Eli Lilly and Company (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 journey of each person living with or treating diabetes inspires ours. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company, a leading innovation-driven company, 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.  Information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.

For information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com or www.diabetes.org

SOURCE Lilly Diabetes