ATLANTA, / -- The 11th annual Victory Over Diabetes event, hosted by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), kicks off in Atlanta on August 29, featuring singer-songwriter Angie Stone and Lilly USA, LLC's Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (F.A.C.E.) Diabetes campaign. This free day-long event, also supported by Aetna, educates and empowers African-Americans living with diabetes to better manage the disease by providing educational tools and culturally relevant resources.
Victory Over Diabetes will take place from 7:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29( )at the Georgia International Convention Center (2000 Convention Ct. Concourse, College Park, GA 30337). Features include:
- A series of diabetes-focused workshops, keynote speakers, and free health screenings
- "Fearlessly Fit with Diabetes" special session featuring Angie Stone and highlighting the importance of physical activity as part of overall diabetes management
- $50,000 check presentation by corporate sponsor Aetna in support of the Atlanta ADA's African-American-focused initiatives
Through this event, the Atlanta ADA and the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign aim to raise awareness about the diabetes epidemic facing the African-American community. The disease affects more than three million African-Americans nationwide and African-Americans are 1.6 times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.(1) As the national spokesperson for the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign, Grammy-nominated singer Angie Stone has been traveling to cities around the country, including Atlanta, since 2007 to inspire others by sharing how she personally manages the day-to-day challenges of living with diabetes.
"I'm thrilled to bring the F.A.C.E. Diabetes movement back to my hometown of Atlanta as part of Victory Over Diabetes," said Stone. "Due, in part, to what I've learned through the campaign, I've made some great strides in better managing my own diabetes. I hope my story can motivate others, which is why I'm encouraging everyone to come out to this free event."
"We are delighted to have Angie Stone headline Victory Over Diabetes this year, which, for the past 11 years, has helped empower African-Americans who are disproportionately affected by diabetes," said Nellie J. Myers, Chair, Atlanta ADA Leadership Council. "With the support of companies such as Lilly, we have the ability to continue making a difference in the lives of African-Americans in our community by providing practical, everyday solutions for better diabetes management and prevention."
"Lilly is excited to continue the momentum of the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign here in Atlanta by joining forces with the American Diabetes Association, the leading advocacy organization for diabetes," said Bertika Quintero, Manager, Lilly Diabetes Outreach Initiatives, Lilly USA, LLC. "The F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign was developed from in-depth research of African-Americans with diabetes and insights from health advocacy organizations including the ADA. By combining our resources and collective commitment, together, we can provide African-Americans with type 2 diabetes the support they need to lead healthier lives."
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 for African-Americans in the United States to help people achieve greater success in managing type 2 diabetes. Supported by Lilly USA, LLC and national and local health advocacy organizations, the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign will host a series of community-based events that provide practical information and advice to help people change their attitudes, behavior and lifestyle, particularly as it relates to nutrition/cooking, physical activity, health, and overall well-being. For additional information about the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign and/or events, visit www.FACE-Diabetes.com.
About Eli Lilly and Company
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.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of the country, providing services to hundreds of communities. For more information on Victory Over Diabetes, contact Sybil Freeman at 404-320-7100 x3113 / sfreeman@diabetes.org or visit www.diabetes.org/vod.
About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.2 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com.
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(1) American Diabetes Association. African American and Diabetes Facts.http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/africanamerican/facts.jsp. Accessed July 30, 2009.
