Lilly USA, LLC and Vision Racing Encourage Fans to get on Track With Their Health

Vision Racing Wellness Tour Offers Free Diabetes Screenings and Information at IndyCar Series Races 


INDIANAPOLIS, May 5  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Vision Racing Wellness Tour makes its first pit stop on May 8, also known as Fast Friday, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  In its second year, the Wellness Tour, a collaboration between Indianapolis-based companies Lilly and Vision Racing, will provide racing fans with free diabetes screenings with A1c testing and risk factor assessment, along with cholesterol and blood pressure testing.  During the 2009 season, the Tour will travel to select IndyCar Series races, including the Indianapolis 500, with this free off-the-track health offering.

While receiving a diabetes check-up may not be considered a typical racetrack activity, race fans may be surprised to learn just how common diabetes is and about the seriousness of its resulting complications.  According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes affects nearly 24 million Americans nationwide; nearly one-fourth, or approximately 6 million of those affected are unaware that they have the disease.(1) Furthermore, diabetes is associated with an increased risk for a number of serious and potentially life-threatening complications, such as blindness, kidney failure and leg amputations, among others.(2) The Vision Racing Wellness Tour aims to provide people with the education and resources they need to be aware of diabetes and other important health issues.

"Through our partnership with Vision Racing, we have a great opportunity to bring a truly unique health offering to the track," said Rob Brown, vice president and chief marketing officer, Lilly USA.  "In select cities, IndyCar race fans will have access to a certified diabetes educator in addition to the diabetes screenings at the Wellness Tour.  Through these offerings, Lilly hopes to help people stay on track with their health."

Vision Racing team drivers Ed Carpenter and Ryan Hunter-Reay, ambassadors for the Wellness Tour, are encouraging fans to get in the driver's seat when it comes to managing their health by visiting the Wellness Tour Unit.

"At Vision Racing, we're known for our skills on the racetrack, but our commitment to the fans extends off the track as well," said Vision Racing Owner Tony George.  "Along with Lilly's continued support, we can raise awareness about diabetes and improve the health and well-being of our communities, one race at a time."

Throughout the month of May, the Wellness Tour will provide three days of free diabetes testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, culminating with the Indianapolis 500 on May 24.  Additionally, during the 2009 season, the Wellness Tour will travel to IndyCar Series races in West Allis, Wis.; Fort Worth, Texas; Newton, Iowa; Richmond, Va.; and Lexington, Ohio.  For more information about Vision Racing, please visit http://www.visionracing.com/ and for more information about diabetes, visit http://www.lillydiabetes.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. Information about Lilly is available at http://www.lilly.com/.

About Lilly Diabetes

For more than 85 years, 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 journeys of each person living with or treating diabetes inspire ours. For more information, visit http://www.lillydiabetes.com/.

About Vision Racing

Vision Racing is owned and operated by Tony and Laura George as well as actor Patrick Dempsey of ABC's Grey's Anatomy and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana in a 32,000 square foot facility.  The team competes full-time in the IndyCar Series and is entering its fifth season of IndyCar Series competition. The team is coming off eight top-ten finishes and four additional top-five finishes including a fifth place finish in the Indianapolis 500 by Ed Carpenter and a fourth place run by Paul Tracy at Edmonton.  The team features returning IndyCar Series driver Ed Carpenter and welcomes veteran Ryan Hunter-Reay for 2009.  New for 2009 is a return to the Firestone Indy Lights Series with driver James Davison as well as a technical partnership with new FIL team Bryan Herta Autosport and driver Daniel Herrington.  Vision Racing continues to proudly perpetuate the legacy of the Hulman-George family through motorsports excellence, by demonstrating the traditions and heritage of the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Racing.

O-LLY

(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National diabetes Fact Sheet: General Information and National Estimates on Diabetes in the United States, 2007. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007

(2) American Diabetes Association. Type 2 Diabetes Complications. http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/complications.jsp.

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DATASOURCE: Eli Lilly and Company



CONTACT:  Daphne Hoytt, MS&L, [phone], or Pat Caporali, Vision

Racing, [phone]

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