American Diabetes Association® Survey Shows Summer Camp Can Positively Impact Children's Disease Management Skills, Confidence and Stress

INDIANAPOLIS and ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A three-year survey by the American Diabetes Association (Association) shows attending summer camp can do much more than lift the spirits of children with type 1 diabetes. Surveys conducted with caregivers before and after their child attended an Association camp found the experience can increase some children's diabetes knowledge, self-confidence, diabetes management and emotional well-being while enjoying traditional camp activities.

To help more children with diabetes experience these positive outcomes, Lilly Diabetes has once again made a commitment to the Association's "Campership" program. The company today announced a donation of $93,000 for camp scholarships – $1,000 for each year Lilly has helped those living with diabetes since introducing the world's first commercial insulin in 1923. Since 2008, Lilly Diabetes has donated $716,000 to the Campership program, which awards scholarships based on financial need. The donations have helped hundreds of children with diabetes attend special summer camps supported by staff and medical professionals who oversee and assist campers with daily diabetes care.                                                        

According to the survey, the number of campers with a clear understanding of diabetes management increased by 11 percent after attending an Association camp, and the number of campers with the ability to manage diabetes-related problems independently increased by 10 percent. Newly diagnosed campers, i.e., less than one year since initial diagnosis, showed the greatest change, with 19 percent of those campers showing improvement in ability to manage diabetes-related issues. In addition, the survey showed Association camps increased some campers' confidence and lowered their diabetes-related stress. ¹

"The survey results show what we have known all along – our camps can have a positive impact on the children with type 1 diabetes who attend them," said Jane Chiang, MD, senior vice president, medical and community affairs, at the American Diabetes Association. "For many families, Association camps may be the first time a child with diabetes has been away from home. We are grateful to Lilly Diabetes and others for providing the opportunity for campers to learn how to manage their diabetes, build their self-esteem and gain independence."

Attending Camp Korelitz in Cincinnati, Ohio, has helped 14-year-old Kristen learn to manage her diabetes. "Kristen feels like she is not alone in the battle," says her mother, Jessica. "Diabetes camp benefited not only her, but our entire family. Diabetes is a family disease, and we are all affected. Kristen's week away at camp helped me get comfortable letting other people take care of her diabetes."

The American Diabetes Association is the world's largest provider of camps for children with diabetes, with 58 sessions of camp serving nearly 6,000 campers in 2015. In the past decade, Lilly Diabetes has donated $31 million in insulin and other diabetes medicines, educational materials and $716,000 in scholarships and has also provided over 100 special guest speaker appearances.

"We at Lilly Diabetes take great pride in our support of diabetes camps. For more than a decade, many individuals have reported positive experiences and shared how important the camp experience is for children with diabetes as they learn to care for themselves," said David Kendall, MD, vice president of medical affairs, Lilly Diabetes. "These exciting survey results help confirm that campers are having a positive experience. We couldn't be happier that our donations to the Association's Campership program are having such an impact." 

For more information on Association camps and how to apply for a scholarship, visit www.diabetes.org/camp. Additional information about Lilly Diabetes' support of diabetes summer camps and other initiatives to help families and children with type 1 diabetes live life to the fullest can be found at www.lillydiabetes.com. 

Survey Methodology

The Association designed and executed a three-year survey to explore the impact of camp activities on camper outcomes including diabetes knowledge, management behaviors, confidence and emotional wellbeing. Between 2013 and 2015, online surveys were administered to a representative subset of camp caregivers. The total survey population is 6,586. From that 1,724 pre-camp surveys and 1,075 post-camp surveys were obtained. Surveys were anonymous and voluntary. Results were tabulated by the Association and aggregate information was shared with Lilly Diabetes.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes^® and its deadly consequences 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, our 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 (800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

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-0751 01/2016 ©Lilly USA, LLC 2016. All rights reserved.

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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 January 26, 2016.

Refer to:  
Julie Williams, (317) 627-4056; [email protected] 
Samantha Boyd, (703) 549-1500 ext. 2139; [email protected]

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