INDIANAPOLIS, July 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Crystal
Bowersox understands how crucial it is to properly manage diabetes
and find a healthy balance on and off the stage. Diagnosed with
type 1 diabetes at age 6, Crystal – now 30 – rose from humble
beginnings in northwestern Ohio to
reach the heights of American Idol in 2010 and an ongoing
musical career that has followed. Having nearly lost her spot on
the show due to a short hospitalization brought on by the rigorous
taping and rehearsal schedule, she vowed to make it her mission to
touch others impacted by diabetes with her music and her
message.
Crystal's grit and determination recently caught the eye of
Lilly Diabetes, which today introduced her as its newest type 1
diabetes ambassador. In this role, Crystal will speak to children
with diabetes at summer camps and other events, sharing her story
and inspiring them to reach for their dreams. Her ambassadorship is
one more way Lilly Diabetes, who has donated $31 million in medication, scholarships and
educational materials since 2001, supports diabetes camps.
"Growing up with diabetes, I felt isolated from other kids
because they didn't understand the challenges I faced, and today I
know there are many who experience the same things," said Crystal.
"However, despite the obstacles, I learned how to manage the
disease, and I try to live my life to the fullest. That's why I'm
excited to partner with Lilly Diabetes to tell my story and
encourage kids."
As part of her ambassador role, Crystal will speak about her
experiences with diabetes in a national satellite television and
radio media tour today and be a featured speaker at the Friends for
Life® conference in Orlando,
Florida, on July 7. Friends
for Life is an annual international conference that gathers
diabetes experts, health care providers, researchers and families
who have children with diabetes to learn and share the most current
information on diabetes care.
"We love having Crystal attend our Friends for Life conference
because she's so down to earth with kids and their families," said
Jeff Hitchcock, president, Children
with Diabetes®. "It's important for children with
diabetes to hear real success stories, and Crystal shares her
experiences in such a warm and inclusive way. It's inspiring to see
how she connects, and how important her story is to kids and their
parents, who are understandably worried about what their child's
future may hold."
Later this month, Crystal will make stops at diabetes camps and
events to meet with children who have diabetes as part of the Lilly
Camp Care Package (LCCP) program, one of the largest diabetes camp
support programs in the United
States. While on the road, she'll join two LCCP program
veterans: Olympic cross-country skier Kris
Freeman and NASCAR® XFINITY Series driver
Ryan Reed, who began their camp
tours in June.
Camps Make a Difference
Throughout its 16 years of
support, Lilly Diabetes has found attending a diabetes summer camp
can be a valuable experience for children learning to live with the
disease, particularly those transitioning from parental care to
self-care. A three-year survey by the American Diabetes
Association® showed camp experience increases some
children's diabetes knowledge, self-confidence, diabetes management
and emotional well-being. It also showed the number of campers with
a clear understanding of diabetes management increased 11 percent,
and those with the ability to manage diabetes-related problems
increased 10 percent. Newly diagnosed campers (less than one year
since initial diagnosis) changed the most, with 19 percent showing
improvement in their ability to manage diabetes-related
issues.1
"As someone who was diagnosed with diabetes as a child,
Crystal Bowersox understands what
newly diagnosed children can go through. She is a terrific example
of someone who has managed the ups and downs of the disease," said
Mike Mason, vice president, U.S.,
Lilly Diabetes. "We are excited to include her perspective as we
continue to meet the needs of children with diabetes. We look
forward to seeing her connect with children in those important
ways."
Crystal's 2016 summer diabetes camp tour begins July 18. To hear or read her story, or for more
information on other Lilly Diabetes support programs, please visit
www.lillydiabetes.com. To find a camp in your area, visit
www.diabetescamps.org.
About Crystal
Bowersox
A northwest Ohio native and Nashville resident, singer/songwriter
Crystal Bowersox, 30, has been
performing for audiences since the age of 10. Her soulful,
stirring approach to American music has been met with critical
acclaim. Crystal has been described as possessing a voice
"incapable of artifice" by the Washington Post, and as
"having a keen, finely honed pop instinct all her own" by the
New York Times. With
collaborations that include legendary talents such as the late
Joe Cocker and B.B. King, Alanis
Morissette, Jakob Dylan, John
Popper of Blues Traveler, Melissa
Etheridge, and many more, it is clear that her vocal prowess
is recognized and respected among her peers. Her latest release,
Promises, is available on iTunes® and Amazon.
Crystal is currently working toward and writing for her next
release. For more information visit www.crystalbowersox.com or
follow her on Facebook and Twitter: @CrystalBowersox.
About Lilly Diabetes
Lilly has been a global leader in
diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world's first
commercial insulin. Today we are building upon this heritage by
working to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes and those
who care for them. Through research and collaboration, a broad and
growing product portfolio and a continued determination to provide
real solutions—from medicines to support programs and more—we
strive to make life better for all those affected by diabetes
around the world. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com
or follow us on Twitter: @LillyDiabetes.
About Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY)
Lilly is a
global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make
life better for people around the world. We were founded more than
a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines
that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in
all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover
and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve
the understanding and management of disease, and give back to
communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more
about Lilly, please visit us at www.lilly.com and
newsroom.lilly.com/social-channels.
PP-LD-US-0910 6/2016 ©Lilly USA, LLC 2016. All rights reserved.
P-LLY
1 American Diabetes Association. Camps Make a
Difference! Available at
http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/diabetes-camp/camps-make-difference.html.
Accessed on June 2 , 2016.
Refer to: Julie Williams, (317)
627-4056; williamsju@lilly.com
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