U.S. Winners of Oncology on Canvas International Art Competition Announced at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

U.S. Winners of Oncology on Canvas International Art Competition
Announced at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
Awards Presented for Artistic Expression of a Woman's Cancer Journey 


INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 7  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Patients, caregivers and
healthcare providers are being honored today for their outstanding artistic
expressions of their cancer experience as part of Oncology on Canvas:
Expressions of a Women's Cancer Journey, an international art competition,
sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company.  Lilly honored three American artists for
their winning work during a reception and art showing held in conjunction with
the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in San Antonio, Texas.

More than 450 pieces of art from 23 countries, including the United States,
United Kingdom, Mexico, Hungary, South Africa, Turkey and India were submitted
for consideration.

"Lilly Oncology is pleased to present Oncology on Canvas because it brings to
life our commitment to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, and
this is an example of how we can help patients beyond the medicines that we
provide," said Adrian Barfield, business director for Lilly Oncology. "This
program allows us to experience and celebrate the strength of everyone involved
in a woman's cancer journey."

Organizations such as the American Cancer Society, state there is increasing
recognition and support of art therapy for cancer patients.  Many clinicians
have observed and documented the emotional and physical improvements in
patients who have participated in some form of art therapy.

San Antonio Viewing Opportunities

Following today's reception, select pieces from Oncology on Canvas will be on
display at various San Antonio establishments in recognition of the San Antonio
Breast Cancer Symposium.  Artwork can be seen from December 8 - 10 at the
following San Antonio locations:

  *  Hyatt Regency Riverwalk
  *  Marriott Rivercenter
  *  Boudros Restaurant and Wine Bar
  *  Italia Ristorante
  *  San Antonio International Airport

  U.S. Winner


Mrs. Monica Barry, a registered nurse from Houston, TX, was honored as the
"Best of USA" and "Best Submission by a Health Care Professional" for her work
"Metamorphosis."  Barry's work presents a thoughtful portrayal of a woman with
short post-therapeutic hair growth and a pink ribbon over the area where her
right breast used to be.  The soft lines and colors of the portrait amplify the
words taken from Barry's own narrative of her work, "Regardless of mastectomy
and chemotherapy, she has never lost her beauty and conviction."

Barry said the woman in her painting represents all women that have battled
breast cancer, but the true inspiration was her mother-in-law who passed away
in 1999 from breast cancer.

"She was my best friend and my confidant," said Barry.  "She was the woman that
I wanted to be like.  I did this painting for her."

As first prize winner, Barry was presented with an award check of $500 made
payable to her cancer charity of choice.  Barry has decided to split the check
evenly between The American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer
Foundation.

Other U.S. Winners

Ms. Janna Bernheim Bernstein of Memphis, TN was honored as the second- place
U.S. winner for her charcoal work entitled "Healing."  Bernheim Bernstein, a
Fulbright Scholar and art teacher, and single mother of three girls, was
diagnosed with breast cancer at age 49 in August 2000.  Her diagnosis came just
three weeks after her mother passed away from pancreatic cancer.  Bernheim
Bernstein said she is grateful to Lilly for the art contest and its commitment
to finding new ways to treat cancer.

"The advances that are made in medicine, such as the ones that Lilly makes, are
the reason people are here today," said Bernheim Bernstein.  "It was too late
for my mother, but these advances are here for me and others."

Bernheim Bernstein's winning picture entitled "Healing" is a reflective piece
featuring a bird wing and feathers.  For her second place award, an honorary
check of $500 will be made payable to the Wings Cancer Foundation of the West
Cancer Clinic in Memphis, TN.  Bernheim Bernstein said the foundation was part
of the guiding inspiration for her artwork.  She said she also found
inspiration in birds and wings as they represent her belief of being lifted up,
supported and transported above the illness and other earthly endeavors. The
work is actually one of four pieces that portray the four stages of her cancer
journey.  The other three are entitled "Approaching Storm," "Embraced," and
"Strength."

Ms. Doralee Kimbrough of Garrison, TX was honored as the third-place U.S.
winner for a watercolor piece "Spiritual Awakening."  Kimbrough, a retired
second-grade teacher, mother of three, and grandmother of six, was diagnosed
with breast cancer in 2001.

Kimbrough's winning piece is a vibrant watercolor of a tree and underground
roots.  The tree, which symbolizes her body, appears to be void of life until
close examination of the tree and roots show otherwise.  Kimbrough said, "I
entitled the work Spiritual Awakening because that is what I experienced after
I was diagnosed.  I hope that is what others experience when they look at my
painting.  I hope they look at the work and get something from it that will
help them as they go through their cancer journey."

Kimbrough chose to honor the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Research
Foundation in Dallas, TX with her $500 award because of the commitment and
support provided by the staff during her diagnosis and treatment.  She said
that she was concerned that her early signs of breast cancer were not
recognized, even after they showed up during a mammogram.  It was her husband's
persistence that encouraged her to travel 350 miles to Dallas, where
oncologists at Baylor quickly tested and diagnosed her with stage four lobular
invasive carcinoma.

"I want to honor the Baylor Cancer Center because they took such good care of
me," said Kimbrough."

About Lilly Oncology

Lilly Oncology, a division of Eli Lilly and Company, is a world leader in
cancer research and treatment, with therapies that are considered a standard of
care in a number of difficult-to-treat tumor types built upon a vibrant and
cutting edge research platform driving therapeutic innovation.  Lilly Oncology
is committed to delivering realistic solutions to physicians, patients and
payers that materially improve the course of cancer care.  With a promising
pipeline of innovative products built on strong scientific foundations, Lilly
strives to continually find ways to offer hope in the way of answers for
patients.  Additional information about Lilly Oncology is available at
http://www.lillyoncology.com/ .

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/ .

Vital Options International

Lilly Oncology is grateful for the support of Oncology on Canvas provided by
Vital Options International.  Vital Options International is a not-for- profit
cancer communications, support and advocacy organization whose mission is to
facilitate a global cancer dialogue by using communications technology to reach
every person touched by cancer.  Additional information about Vital Options
International is available at http://www.vitaloptions.org/ . O-LLY

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

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/OOCLOGO ) 

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

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/OOCLOGO

DATASOURCE: Eli Lilly and Company



CONTACT:  Gregory Clarke of Lilly Oncology, United States,

[phone] office, or [phone] pager

Copyright