The FINANCIAL -- Lilly Diabetes announced its commitment to send 89 children
to diabetes camp this summer through a collaboration with the American
Diabetes Association, according to Eli Lilly and Company.
Lilly Diabetes donated 89 camp scholarships to the Association's 2012 camp scholarship fund — one scholarship for each year Lilly Diabetes has supported the needs of those living with diabetes, beginning in 1923 when Lilly introduced the world's first commercial insulin.
More than 400 diabetes camping programs exist worldwide serving approximately 30,000 youth with diabetes and their families. Diabetes summer camps give campers the opportunity to interact with others with diabetes in a positive environment. Themes of leadership, growth and learning are paired with traditional camp activities such as sports and arts and crafts.
The camp scholarships, equivalent to $89,000, will give children living with diabetes from low-income families the opportunity to attend diabetes camp for approximately one week. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, and families can apply directly to the diabetes camp they want their child to attend.
In addition to ongoing scholarship donations since 2000, Lilly Diabetes' support of diabetes camps includes insulin donations and a broad range of programs and services that help bring the camp experience to life for each child.
Lilly offers annual motivational speaker visits by three-time Olympic cross-country skier Kris Freeman, diabetes educational kits for campers contained in sturdy L.L. Bean bookpacks, and caregiver educational materials as well as employee volunteers for camps that need an extra hand.
The American Diabetes Association is the single largest operator of diabetes camps for children with diabetes, with 41 camps located throughout the U.S. offering 53 sessions each summer. Since 2000, Lilly Diabetes has been one of the largest providers of insulin and other diabetes medicines, educational materials, volunteers, scholarships, and special guests to the Association's diabetes camps.
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