10-time medalist seeks third straight gold medal in 2008 Beijing Games INDIANAPOLIS, June 27
INDIANAPOLIS, June 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Media conference call with Gary Hall Jr.:
Monday, June 30, 2:00 PM EDT
United States: (800) 553-0327
International: +1 (612) 332-0226
When Olympian Gary Hall Jr. was diagnosed with diabetes, his physician
prescribed Eli Lilly and Company's fast-acting insulin Humalog(R) (insulin
lispro injection [rDNA origin]) to help manage his blood sugar and keep alive
his gold-medal dreams
-- hopes he fulfilled in the 2000 Sydney Games and again four years later in
Athens, rocketing to the title of "World's Fastest Swimmer" in the 50-meter
freestyle.
Now, as the legendary swimmer seeks a third straight gold medal at the
2008 Beijing Games, Hall is teaming up with Lilly again to help inspire people
affected by diabetes to achieve dreams of their own.
Lilly, a worldwide leader in diabetes research and treatment, announced
today Hall will become an ambassador for the Inspired by Diabetes global
campaign (inspiredbydiabetes.com) -- a competition that encourages all people
touched by diabetes, particularly children and their families, to share their
stories through visual and written creative expressions such as art, essays,
poems or photography.
By entering the competition, participants have a direct impact on the
lives of children with diabetes around the world. For each entry into the
contest, Lilly provides funds to support the care of children with diabetes in
the developing world through the International Diabetes Federation's Life for
a Child Program. And in honor of participants from the United States in
2007-08, Lilly made a $50,000 donation to the American Diabetes Association
for scholarships for children from lower-income families to attend ADA
diabetes camps.
A 10-time medalist in the Summer Games, Hall uses his celebrity status to
serve as a powerful advocate for diabetes awareness, education and funding,
sharing his message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. He has
also testified in front of the U.S. Congress advocating for more funding for
diabetes research, serves as a celebrity advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation (JDRF) and was the recipient of the first and only USA
Swimming Humanitarian Award for his work to raise awareness of diabetes.
"Diabetes is the toughest opponent I've ever faced. In fact, when I was
diagnosed I was told I wouldn't be able to compete again at a world-class
level," Hall said. "But I never would have achieved Olympic glory without the
inspiration other people with diabetes have given me along the way. That's why
I'm joining the Inspired by Diabetes campaign, encouraging people affected by
diabetes to share their stories with others. The challenges and triumphs of
everyday diabetes heroes can inspire all of us to achieve our own dreams. And
by telling your story, you can help children with diabetes around the world."
Hall swam to fame during the 1996 Atlanta Games, when he won silver in the
50 freestyle and gold as a member of two American relay teams. He was
diagnosed with diabetes in 1999, and a year later, defied the odds by winning
his first individual gold in the 50 freestyle in Sydney in 2000; in 2004 in
Athens he became, at 29 years old, the oldest male in 80 years to win gold for
the U.S. team. His third Olympic appearance also made history in another way:
Gary Hall Sr. and Jr. became the first father-son duo to compete in the Summer
Games three times.
Hall will compete for a spot in the Beijing Games during the U.S. Olympic
Swimming Trials June 29-July 6 in Omaha, Neb., swimming his signature 50
freestyle event July 4-5.
"We're thrilled that Gary has joined the Inspired by Diabetes campaign,
and believe his story should inspire all of us to rise above challenges and
seek the dreams in our lives," said Matt Beebe, Diabetes Brand Leader, Lilly
USA. "We're also humbled that Gary has chosen Lilly's Humalog(R) mealtime
insulin to help him manage his diabetes as he fulfills his own exceptional
dreams. Millions of people around the world use Humalog to help manage their
blood sugar each day, but to know that one of them is competing for Olympic
history is truly an honor."
For more information, please visit:
www.garyhalljr.com
www.inspiredbydiabetes.com
For more information about Humalog(R) (insulin lispro injection [rDNA
origin), including prescribing information, please visit www.humalog.com
Contact:
J. Scott MacGregor, Lilly David Arluck, Arluck Promotions
317-651-1494 (office) 786-837-6880, ext. 303 (office)
317-440-4699 (mobile) 917-331-1329 (mobile)
macgregorj@lilly.comdavid@arluckpromotions.com
About Inspired by Diabetes
Inspired by Diabetes is a global campaign asking people moved by the
triumphs and challenges of those with diabetes and those who care for them to
express their inspiration and share it with others around the world. The
program is a collaboration between global champions Eli Lilly and Company and
the International Diabetes Federation's (IDF) Unite for Diabetes initiative.
In the U.S., the American Diabetes Association is the program's national
advocate. For more information, visit www.inspiredbydiabetes.com
About Diabetes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes
affects nearly 21 million Americans; of that, nearly one-third, or
approximately six million people, do not know they have the disease.(1)
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and costs
approximately $132 billion per year in direct and indirect medical
expenses.(1,2)
About Lilly Diabetes
For more than 85 years, Lilly has been a worldwide leader in pioneering
industry-leading solutions to support people living with and treating
diabetes. Lilly introduced the world's first commercial insulin in 1923, and
remains at the forefront of medical and delivery device innovation to manage
diabetes. Lilly is also committed to providing solutions beyond therapy --
practical tools, education and support programs to help overcome barriers to
success along the diabetes journey. At Lilly, the journeys of each person
living with or treating diabetes inspire ours. For more information, visit
www.lillydiabetes.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, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and
information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Information
about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.
Indication
Humalog (insulin lispro injection [rDNA origin]) is for use in patients
with diabetes to control high blood sugar and should be used with
longer-acting insulin, except when used in combination with sulfonylureas in
patients with type 2 diabetes.
Important Safety Information
Starting or changing insulin therapy should be done cautiously and only
under medical supervision.
Humalog is an injectable fast-acting insulin. Humalog starts working
faster than other insulins that contain regular human insulin. Take Humalog
within fifteen minutes before eating or right after eating a meal. Check your
blood sugar levels as told by your healthcare provider.
If you have type 1 diabetes, you need to take a longer-acting insulin in
addition to Humalog (except when using an external insulin pump). If you have
type 2 diabetes, you may be taking diabetes pills and/or a longer-acting
insulin in addition to Humalog.
The safety and effectiveness of Humalog in patients less than 3 years of
age have not been established. There are no adequate and well-controlled
clinical studies of the use of Humalog in pregnant or nursing women.
Humalog should not be used during episodes of low blood sugar
(hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to anything in Humalog.
Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar is the most common adverse effect associated with
insulins, including Humalog. Low blood sugar can happen suddenly and symptoms
may be different for each person and may change from time to time. Know your
symptoms of low blood sugar. Severe low blood sugar can cause seizures and be
life threatening. Follow your health care provider's instructions for
treating low blood sugar. Talk to your healthcare provider if low blood sugar
is a problem for you.
Other Side Effects
Other potential side effects associated with the use of insulins include:
low blood potassium, weight gain, changes in fat tissue at the injection site,
and allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can happen at the site of
injection and over the whole body. Whole body allergic reactions are less
common, but may be life-threatening.
For more information about Humalog, including prescribing information,
please visit www.humalog.com
Humalog(R) is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.
(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National diabetes
fact sheet: general information and national estimates on diabetes in the
United States, 2005. Rev ed. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005
(2) American Diabetes Association. Direct and indirect costs of diabetes
in the United States. Available at:
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/cost-of-diabetes-in-us.jsp.
Accessed January 24, 2007
P-LLY
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO )
SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
