Grammy-nominated Singer Angie Stone Encourages African-Americans in Birmingham to Fearlessly FACE Diabetes

Free community-wide event offers diabetes education, healthy food-sampling and a special performance by Angie Stone

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — As Black History Month comes to a close, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Angie Stone and the Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (F.A.C.E.) Diabetes initiative, sponsored by Lilly USA, LLC, head to historic Birmingham on February 28 to help empower and inspire African-Americans with diabetes to take control of their disease.

Ms. Stone and the F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative will host a community-wide educational event in southwest Birmingham on Saturday, February 28 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the More Than Conqueror Faith Church (1327 Dennison Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35211). This free event is open to the public and will feature:

• “Diabetes 101″ educational materials and access to certified diabetes educators who can answer questions related to the day-to-day management of diabetes
• An interactive experiential zone featuring resources from supporting community health organizations, healthy food sampling and more
• A first-hand testimonial from Angie Stone about her personal experiences managing diabetes and a live performance of songs from her latest album

As the national spokesperson of the F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative, Ms. Stone has been traveling to cities around the country since 2007 to raise awareness about one of the top health disparities facing African-Americans: the diabetes epidemic. Nationwide African-Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes and African-Americans constitute 30 percent of all diagnosed diabetes cases in Alabama.(i)

For this reason, Ms. Stone joined forces with Lilly, corporate partners, various health organizations and community-based partners, including More Than Conqueror Faith Church and Cox Radio on the F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative. As someone living with diabetes, Ms. Stone hopes to inspire others by sharing her personal story at community-wide diabetes awareness events and calling on African-Americans with diabetes to learn how to better manage their disease.

“I’m thrilled to be in Birmingham, one of the true hearts of the civil rights movement, and continue the legacy of Black History Month by focusing on relevant issues that face the African-American community, such as diabetes,” said Stone. “It is an honor for me to share my personal story of living with diabetes and help empower others with the disease. That’s why I’m encouraging everyone to come out to the F.A.C.E. Diabetes event and start learning how to be fearless in the face of diabetes.”

“As a physician who works with underserved communities throughout Alabama and the Mississippi region, I encounter so many people who don’t know how to properly manage their diabetes,” said Dr. Sandra Mathews Ford, Cofounder of Spirit of Luke Charitable Foundation. “In staying true to our mission – A Promise to Help with a Message of Hope – we’ve partnered with Lilly on the F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative to provide people living with diabetes the necessary resources and support they need to better manage their disease.”

The F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative was developed based on in-depth research of African-Americans with diabetes and insights from physicians and various national and local health advocacy organizations. After a successful pilot program in Chicago two years ago, the campaign launched nationally in 2008 and is now traveling to various metropolitan cities as part of a national campaign. The initiative has already hosted successful events in Chicago, Atlanta, Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. and upcoming events scheduled in Houston.

“We, at Lilly, are thrilled by the momentum of the F.A.C.E. Diabetes educational initiative, which has touched the lives of over 7,500 people living with diabetes,” said Bertika Quintero, Manager, Lilly Diabetes Outreach Initiatives, Lilly USA, LLC. “The F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative demonstrates Lilly’s commitment to offering practical and sustainable programs which provide African-American communities with the support they need to live healthier lives.”

Stone and the F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative will return to Birmingham in the coming months to host another event featuring healthy cooking demonstrations by the Hebni Chefs, the creators of the Soul Food Pyramid, to promote nutrition and healthy eating habits among those living with and successfully managing diabetes.

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

The Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (F.A.C.E.) Diabetes initiative is a grassroots movement for African-Americans in the United States to help people achieve greater success in managing 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, go to www.FACE-Diabetes.com.

The following organizations have helped bring F.A.C.E. Diabetes to Birmingham: American Diabetes Association; Cox Radio; Miles College; More Than Conqueror Faith Church; Phi Iota Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Clinic.

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 www.lilly.com.

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(i) Alabama Department of Public Health. “Alabama Diabetes Program: 2008 Fact Sheet.” Alabama Department of Public Health’s Diabetes Branch, Bureau of Health Promotion & Chronic Disease, 2008.

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company