American Diabetes Association and Eli Lilly and Company Unite to Educate and Empower African-Americans with Diabetes

DETROIT, Oct. 30  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To kick off American Diabetes Month this November, the American Diabetes Association's annual community-wide Diabetes Update event returns to Detroit, along with Eli Lilly and Company's national educational initiative, Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (F.A.C.E.) Diabetes.

Diabetes Update, an educational program for people affected by diabetes and their families, will take place on Saturday, November 1, at the Greater Grace Temple, 23500 W. Seven Mile Rd. in Detroit from 8:30 a.m. - noon.  Event participants will learn about a variety of topics including diabetes management, diet and nutrition and how to reduce the risk of complications. Additionally, diabetes educators will be on hand to provide practical tips and advice to help people make better decisions for themselves and their families.

"Chances are, you - or someone you love - has been affected by diabetes in some way," said Debbie O'Leary, Senior Executive Director of the ADA's Michigan/Northwest Ohio office.  "But even if you haven't been affected by diabetes, you need to know that diabetes is the biggest public health crisis of the 21st century, and it continues to grow to epidemic proportions.  My hope is that people from communities throughout the area will come out this weekend to learn more about small steps they can take to lead healthier lives."

The F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign is also featured at the event to enhance the educational opportunities being offered to the people of Detroit.  The campaign, developed specifically to address the diabetes epidemic within the African-American community, has traveled to other cities such as Chicago, Atlanta, Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. to expose African-Americans to community-based tools that may facilitate better management of diabetes.

"We at Lilly recognize that to effectively treat diabetes, we need to complement medical advances with culturally relevant education," said Jesse Price, Manager, Eli Lilly and Company. "That's why we feel it is so important to partner with community organizations, like the ADA, in order to provide educational information as well as practical resources to help people in areas critical to success in managing diabetes, such as nutrition/cooking, physical activity, health and overall well-being."

American Diabetes Month is a time for communities to come together to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of proper diabetes control.   For more information about registering for this free event, call (888) DIABETES, ext 6698, or visit http://www.diabetes.org/detroit.  For more information about the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign, visit http://www.face-diabetes.com/.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes 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 your local American Diabetes Association office at 1-888-DIABETES (1-888-342- 2383) or visit http://www.diabetes.org/.

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

The Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (F.A.C.E.) Diabetes Campaign 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. Supported by Eli Lilly and Company, and national and local health advocacy organizations, the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign will implement a series of practical and sustainable programs, which will help foster behavioral and attitudinal changes in areas critical to success in managing diabetes, such as nutrition/cooking, physical activity, health and overall well-being. For additional information about the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign and/or events, go to http://www.face-diabetes.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 http://www.lilly.com/.

  O-LLY

  (Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO       )
  (Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071106/CLTU016LOGO   )
  (Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080605/CLTH021LOGO-b )


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

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071106/CLTU016LOGO

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080605/CLTH021LOGO-b

DATASOURCE: Eli Lilly and Company



CONTACT:  Stefanie Worth White, American Diabetes Association,

+1-888-DIABETES, ext. 6705, or Starla Stiles, The Walker Marchant Group,

[phone]

Copyright