Lilly Diabetes celebrates six years of scholarship support for American Diabetes Association diabetes summer camps by sending 90 children to camp in 2013

INDIANAPOLIS and ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

News Highlights: 

• Lilly Diabetes donates $90,000 to the @AmDiabetesAssn 2013 #camp scholarship fund; six donations totaling $442,000 made since '08
• Lilly Diabetes reaches 6th year of supporting @AmDiabetesAssn #camp scholarship fund with $90,000 donation, sends 90 kids to camp in 2013 
• For a second time in two months, Lilly Diabetes donates funds to support scholarship programs for young people with #T1 #diabetes 

Today Lilly Diabetes recognized six years of supporting the American Diabetes Association's (Association) camp scholarship fund by donating 90 scholarships—one for each year Lilly Diabetes has supported the needs of those living with the disease, beginning in 1923 when Lilly introduced the world's first commercial insulin.

Diabetes summer camps allow children with diabetes to take part in traditional camp activities with staff and medical professionals who are experts in type 1 diabetes.

For many children, camp is the first time they meet someone with whom they share a common bond: living with type 1 diabetes. Making that connection at camp can help set the stage for not only a fun-filled summer experience, but also a more positive outlook on a future with diabetes—an attitude that's critical for a lifetime of good diabetes self-management. That is why Lilly Diabetes has continued to help children attend diabetes summer camps through its partnership with the Association, and, since 2008, has donated more than $440,000 in scholarships to help children from families in need experience that same summer rite of passage as their peers.

"This year would not have been possible financially without the generous support from your organization," said Leetta, mother of a 13-year-old girl who received a camp scholarship from the Association. "Everyone I saw at camp was so excited to be there, and after we left my daughter shared story after story on our 8-hour ride home. We are very blessed to have been part of something so amazing."

Today there are approximately 130 camps that operate nationwide. The American Diabetes Association is the single largest operator of U.S. camps for children with diabetes, with 41 camps offering 50 sessions in 25 states each summer. In the last decade, Lilly Diabetes has donated more than $20 million in insulin and other diabetes medicines, educational materials, volunteers, scholarships, and special guests. This makes Lilly Diabetes one of the largest supporters of diabetes camps in the country. 

"There are so many children who build their self-esteem, establish life-long friendships and gain independence while spending time at diabetes summer camps," said Dr. John E. Anderson, president, Medicine & Science, American Diabetes Association. "Lilly Diabetes has, for many years, continued to be an engaged and supportive partner in caring for these young individuals and their futures through its support of our scholarships and camping program." 

This year's $90,000 donation to support Association camp scholarships will give 90 children with diabetes the opportunity to attend summer camp for approximately one week. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need. 

"Our mission is to provide personalized resources that help support and care for people with diabetes. There couldn't be a better, more empowering experience for a young child with type 1 diabetes than to attend a diabetes summer camp," said Steve Sugino, vice president, Lilly Diabetes. "We are proud to be able to send these children to summer camp, as well as those who will follow them—children who might not otherwise have the opportunity for this kind of life-changing experience." 

In addition to ongoing scholarship donations since 2008, Lilly Diabetes' support of camps stretches back more than 10 years and includes product donations and a broad range of programs that help bring the camp experience to life for each child. Lilly Diabetes offers camp visits by Olympic cross-country skier Kris Freeman, diabetes educational kits for campers contained in sturdy L.L. Bean^® bookpacks, and caregiver educational materials as well as employee volunteers for camps that need an extra hand. 

In the last two months alone, Lilly Diabetes has donated nearly $200,000 to support scholarship programs for young people with diabetes, having recently donated $100,000 to the Diabetes Scholars Foundation to help young adults with type 1 diabetes attend college. 

For more information on the Association's diabetes camps and how to apply for a scholarship, visit www.diabetes.org/camp. Additional information about Lilly Diabetes' support of diabetes summer camps can be found at 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 
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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P-LLY

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

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company; American Diabetes Association