Diabetes Scholars Foundation Announces 2015 Scholarship Recipients

Lilly Diabetes donation helps 21 students attend college through Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarships

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Jun 25, 2015, 09:00 ET

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. and INDIANAPOLIS, June 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Attending college is a critical milestone in the lives of many young people. But balancing college life and a full course load while keeping a chronic disease such as diabetes in check can make an exciting time much more challenging. Today, the Diabetes Scholars Foundation (Foundation) announced its 2015 college scholarship recipients, a talented group of young adults with type 1 diabetes who have taken the challenge head-on while demonstrating academic excellence, community involvement and an unwavering determination to achieve their goals without letting diabetes stand in the way.

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This is the fourth consecutive year that Lilly Diabetes has helped fund the Foundation's scholarship program. Since 2012, 84 students with type 1 diabetes have been awarded Lilly Diabetes Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarships, including 21 outstanding high school graduates this year.

"Our recipients haven't just successfully managed their type 1 diabetes, they've done so while moving toward changing the world for the better. They have excelled academically, are leaders in their school and community, athletes, musicians, researchers, writers and the future leaders of our country," said Mary Podjasek, president of the Diabetes Scholars Foundation. "Our goal is to empower these students, and we are dedicated to supporting these well deserving young adults. It is an honor to be a small part of the big ways in which they will better the world."

Recipients such as Ben, who will pursue a degree in economics at the University of Chicago, stand out for their academic excellence.

"Every year, we are amazed by our scholarship applicants' determination and optimism to make the most of their college experiences and life itself," said Jacqueline Giovanoni, global director of advocacy and professional relations, Lilly Diabetes. "Our 2015 Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarship recipients are no different. They simply refuse to let diabetes derail them. We are incredibly moved by these remarkable young people and proud to be part of their journey."

Lilly Diabetes also funds the Foundation program that grants conference scholarships to families to attend the annual Children with Diabetes^® Friends for Life^® conference in Orlando. This year, nine families will have the chance to learn about diabetes from the world's leading scientists and other experts, and share experiences with other families with children who have type 1 diabetes.

For more about the Diabetes Scholars Foundation and its scholarship programs, visit www.diabetesscholars.org.

About the Diabetes Scholars Foundation
In 2004, a group of parents who have children with type 1 diabetes created the Diabetes Scholars Foundation. Their goal was to empower success through education for people living with type 1 diabetes. Our founders' goal was that – in this one small area of life, diabetes can be an advantage. Headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Ill., it is the only foundation that funds college scholarships open to all students in the United States with type 1 diabetes. In the past eight years, the Foundation has awarded over $1 million in college scholarships and helped almost 3,000 people attend the annual Children with Diabetes^® Friends for Life^®conference in Orlando. In 2015, the Foundation received more than 2,400 college scholarship applications from all 50 states. Until a cure is found, the Diabetes Scholars Foundation hopes to help as many deserving college students as possible. Information about the Foundation is available at www.diabetesscholars.org.

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 and follow @LillyDiabetes on Twitter.

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. CR-LLY

Refer to:
Julie Herrick Williams; [email protected]; 317-627-4056
Mary Podjasek; [email protected]; 312-215-9861

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