Lilly to donate funds to ADA camp program for every Cutler TD, pass completion
CHICAGO, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When the 2009 NFL season begins this weekend, rooting for Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler means rooting for kids with diabetes.
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Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) announced today they're teaming up to help send children with diabetes to summer camps through the Touchdowns for Diabetes camp scholarship program (www.touchdownsfordiabetes.com).
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For every touchdown pass Cutler throws during the 2009 season, Lilly will send a child to diabetes camp by donating $1,000 to the ADA's "Camp Scholarship" fund - roughly the cost of providing tuition for one child to attend a week of diabetes camp.
And for every pass Cutler completes in 2009, Lilly will donate $100 to the ADA Camp Scholarship fund to allow even more kids the chance to attend camp next summer. The ADA is the largest provider of diabetes camps in the world and is serving as the national champion for Touchdowns for Diabetes.
Since learning he had type 1 diabetes after his second season in the NFL, Cutler has worked to help inspire children with diabetes to achieve their goals - and let them see that diabetes doesn't have to stop them from being who they want to be.
After playing in his first NFL Pro Bowl in February, Cutler teamed up with Lilly in the offseason to visit children's hospitals across the country and visit with families affected by diabetes.
"I've met a lot of kids through my hospital tour with Lilly that have inspired me as I enter my second NFL season with diabetes," Cutler said. "Parents and kids have told us how important diabetes camps are to helping children learn how to manage diabetes -- and to help them understand that thriving with this condition isn't just possible, it's within reach. Every kid should have the chance to experience diabetes camp, and I'm proud to work with Lilly to make this more achievable for families across the country."
Children with diabetes, particularly those with a new diagnosis, often feel like no one understands how they feel or know what it's like to live with diabetes. Diabetes camps are an important place for kids to connect and become empowered to learn more about managing their diabetes.
"It's easy for children - and their families - to feel overwhelmed and isolated by the challenges that diabetes presents, but they need to remember that they are not alone," said George Huntley, chair of the board, American Diabetes Association. "Jay Cutler is showing the world that he is proactively managing his disease and fighting diabetes. He is an inspiration to people with diabetes and we are thankful to Jay and Lilly for their support in helping us raise awareness about this serious disease and raise money to support our camp program through Touchdowns for Diabetes."
Lilly has a long history of supporting diabetes camps and has donated $100,000 to the ADA's camp scholarship program in the last two years alone through the Inspired by Diabetes art campaign.
"We're honored to work with Jay and the ADA to help more kids get to camp next summer," said Matt Beebe, senior director of the diabetes brand for Lilly USA, LLC. "We hope Jay has another fun and safe season and leads the league in touchdowns and pass completions so we can help even more families."
Cutler, 26, is beginning his first season with Bears after an off-season trade from the Denver Broncos.
In 2008, his second full season as the Broncos' starting quarterback, Cutler had a breakout year and was named to his first Pro Bowl. His 4,526 passing yards led the American Football Conference (AFC) and were third in the NFL, and his 25 touchdown passes were third-best in the AFC. A first-round draft pick from Vanderbilt University, Cutler became the Broncos' starter late in the 2006 season and was the first NFL rookie to throw at least two touchdowns in each of his first three starts.
For more information on diabetes camps, visit:
American Diabetes Association - www.diabetes.org/camp
Diabetes and Education Camping Association - www.diabetescamps.org
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, the Association's 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
For more than 85 years, Eli Lilly and Company (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 journey of each person living with or treating diabetes inspires ours. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com
About Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly and Company, a leading innovation-driven company, 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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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
