Lilly Diabetes to contribute $200,000 to the Diabetes Scholars Foundation

INDIANAPOLIS and ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Jan. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Lilly Diabetes announced it will renew its commitment to the Diabetes Scholars Foundation (Foundation) scholarship fund for another two years. The commitment includes a $200,000 donation ($100,000 for each calendar year) that will support the Foundation's mission: to empower young people with type 1 diabetes to live their lives to the fullest. The Foundation will use the donation to fund the Lilly Diabetes Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarships for students with type 1 diabetes as well as conference scholarships for families to attend the 2014 and 2015 children with DIABETES^® Friends for Life^® conference. 

In 2013, the Lilly Diabetes scholarships went to support 21 students pursuing higher education as well as 10 families who attended the 2013 Friends for Life conference. Over the last six years, the Foundation has awarded more than $700,000 in college scholarships to young adults with type 1 diabetes, including $204,000 in 2013.

"Our goal is to empower success through education for students living with type 1 diabetes.  There are so many young people in the United States living with type 1 diabetes who are doing great things. Our founders believe that—in this one small area of life—diabetes could be an advantage," said Mary Podjasek, president, Diabetes Scholars Foundation. "It's through ongoing support from organizations such as Lilly Diabetes, that we can help them realize their dream of higher education." 

College scholarship award criteria include community involvement, activities, advocacy, and leadership. Applicants must also be incoming freshmen at an accredited college or university in the fall of 2014. Scholarships are not based on financial need; and not solely on academic achievement. Applicants must provide an essay and letters of recommendation from both a physician treating their diabetes and a high school counselor/teacher. This results in scholarships that benefit an impressive group of young students with diabetes.

"Supporting children and young adults through transitions in their journey with type 1 diabetes is one of the most important things we do," said Mike Mason, vice president, US, Lilly Diabetes. "Diabetes should never stand in someone's way of pursuing their dreams. Those that are selected for a college or conference scholarship demonstrate that drive in the most amazing ways. We couldn't be happier to support them in their journey."

College scholarship applications are due April 15, 2014 and can be submitted online at www.diabetesscholars.org. Recipients will be announced by the Foundation in June. Conference scholarship applications can be downloaded at www.diabetesscholars.org, and must be received by mail by April 15, 2014. Recipients will be announced by the Foundation in May.

For more information about the Foundation and its scholarship program, visit www.diabetesscholars.org. Additional information about Lilly Diabetes' patient support programs can be found at www.lillydiabetes.com.

About the Diabetes Scholars Foundation
In 2004, a group of parents who have children with type 1 diabetes created the Diabetes Scholars Foundation. Their goal was to empower success through education for people living with type 1 diabetes. Headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Ill., it is the only foundation that funds college scholarships open to all students in the United States with type 1 diabetes. In the past six years, the Foundation has awarded more than $700,000 in college scholarships and has helped more than 400 families attend the annual Children with DIABETES^® Friends for Life^® conference in Orlando. In 2013, the Foundation received 1,000 college scholarship applications from 50 states.

About Lilly Diabetes
Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world's first commercial insulin. Today we work to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes through research and collaboration, a broad and growing product portfolio and a continued commitment to providing real solutions—from medicines to support programs and more—to make lives better. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com.

About Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY)
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, Ind., 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.

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