Eli Lilly and Company Encourages African-Americans to Get a Check-up and Face Diabetes

R&B Singer-Songwriter Angie Stone and Actor-Comedian Anthony Anderson set to appear at annual "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" events

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Eli Lilly and Company

Sep 23, 2010, 10:28 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Angie Stone and Anthony Anderson, spokespeople for Lilly's Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (F.A.C.E.) Diabetes initiative, are teaming up with The Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS) for the 9th annual Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day, taking place on September 28, 2010.

Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day is the culmination of a six-month initiative that seeks to motivate African-Americans to become more proactive about their health and the health of their loved ones through health screenings, immunizations, blood pressure exams and more. This year, F.A.C.E. Diabetes, Stone and Anderson are joining the movement to strengthen the program's diabetes education efforts with workshops and resources in key cities. F.A.C.E. Diabetes will be part of the seven-city Doctor Day live broadcast in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Raleigh and Washington, D.C. Stone will make a special appearance in Detroit, and Anderson in Philadelphia, where they'll share their personal stories and inspire African-Americans to overcome key barriers to success in living with diabetes.

"Lilly and the F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative are proud to take part in Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day to empower patients living with diabetes," said Keith Johns, Senior Director of Marketing, Lilly Diabetes. "We hope that these events planned in cities across the country encourage African-Americans to speak with their healthcare providers about desired lifestyle changes to better manage their disease."

As the "faces" of F.A.C.E. Diabetes, Stone and Anderson visit local communities to raise awareness of the diabetes epidemic that affects nearly 15 percent of African-American adults, and to foster the lifestyle changes that can help those with diabetes better manage the disease.(1) Research shows 3.7 million African-Americans aged 20 or older have diabetes.(1) Through community-based events such as Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day, TJMS and Lilly hope to provide valuable information and culturally-relevant solutions to help overcome the everyday challenges that many African-Americans face while living with diabetes.

"We know the statistics and now it's time to lower them," said Tom Joyner, whose morning show reaches over 8 million listeners. "Going to the doctor is the first step, but the follow through is just as important and that includes managing our conditions. Companies like Lilly reach out to our community and make a difference."

The event in Detroit, featuring Stone, will be held at the Northwest Activities Center from 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. and activities in Philadelphia featuring Anderson will be at the New Covenant Church of Philadelphia from 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on all other F.A.C.E. Diabetes offerings surrounding the Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day or the F.A.C.E. Diabetes initiative, please visit www.FACE-Diabetes.com.

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

The Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (F.A.C.E.) Diabetes initiative is a grassroots movement targeting African-Americans in the United States to help individuals, families, and neighborhoods overcome key barriers to success in living with diabetes. It is supported by Eli Lilly and Company, and national and local health advocacy organizations. For additional information about the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign and/or events, go to www.FACE-Diabetes.com.

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, Indiana, Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.

About Tom Joyner and 'Take A Loved One to the Doctor Day'

Tom Joyner is a nationally syndicated radio and television personality, philanthropist and entrepreneur whose morning show is heard in more than 100 markets by eight million listeners each week. Known as the "hardest working man in radio," Joyner is a Radio Hall of Fame inductee, an NAACP President's Award winner, and was bestowed with the prestigious Marconi Award for Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year. In conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services, this initiative created by Tom Joyner in 2002 features events in virtually every state. 'Take A Loved One to the Doctor Day' is designed to reduce the health disparity between African Americans and the general population, improve access to culturally relevant health care information; better educate members of the African American community regarding the benefits of prevention and treatment of serious diseases, and create accountability in the African American community to take a more active role in encouraging loved ones to seek health care. Events and on-air activities will be taking place throughout a six month campaign from April to September. For more information on "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day," visit www.BlackAmericaWeb.com.

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(1)American Diabetes Association. African Americans & Complications. http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/africanamerican/facts.jsp. Accessed May 12, 2010.

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company