Lilly’s Commitment to Life for a Child | Life for a Child with Diabetes

Eli Lilly and Company has been the worldwide leader in diabetes care for more than 80 years, since it delivered the first commercial insulin to patients in 1923. That breakthrough saved countless lives and has helped millions of people with diabetes sustain longer, fuller and healthier ones. Yet many still desperately need help.

As the scourge of diabetes grows, new treatments – and access to them -- are more vital than ever to combat this global epidemic. Physicians, patients, advocates and other partners across the world are looking to Lilly to discover new breakthroughs, as well as providing innovative solutions to help patients get the treatment they need.

Lilly also continues to build on its long tradition of philanthropy and community support. In 2006, philanthropic contributions totaled about $420 million, including nearly $350 million in products for patient assistance programs and international humanitarian causes, ranking Lilly as one of the most generous companies in the world. Lilly and its philanthropic foundation also gave more than $57 million in cash donations for several urgent or special causes, and more than $13 million in other in-kind contributions. In 2005, that included cash donations and insulin to survivors of the devastating tsunami in Indonesia and Thailand and hurricanes in the United States.

But it is the individual commitment of Lilly employees – not simply corporate donations – that best illustrates the company's commitment to patients who so desperately need help.

Of their own volition, and with their own funds, Lilly employees have helped provide insulin, supplies and diabetes education and care to nearly 200 children in developing nations through the International Diabetes Federation’s Life for a Child Program. Without this help, many of these children may suffer the devastating effects of uncontrolled blood sugar and complications, and ultimately, may die at a young age.

Called the “Dollar a Day” program – it requires roughly $365, or one U.S. dollar per day, to support one child for one year -- this grass-roots effort allows average Lilly employees to have a life-changing impact, whether they are distinguished scientists, physicians, executives or administrative personnel. Additionally, Lilly provides corporate donations for Life for a Child, partnering with IDF, Rotary International, Diabetes Australia, HOPE Worldwide and other groups to fund this vital effort.

Through its support, Lilly helps care for some of the most underserved children with diabetes in several of the world’s most impoverished nations:

• In India, Lilly contributes to the Dream Trust, allowing this established diabetes care center to have an even greater impact on underserved children. One of the children who will be supported by the most recent employee donations is a boy named Ashish, whose visits to the clinic require an 11-hour, 320-kilometer round trip via four buses, along with a four kilometer walk, from his hometown.
• In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lilly helps provide direct support to 30 children with diabetes in the capital city of Kinshasa – including 10-year-old Muteba, whose mother sells bread on the street to provide the family’s only income. Muteba can’t afford schooling, but the clinic reports he is happy and managing his diabetes thanks to the Life for a Child program.
• Lilly and Life for a Child partners also provide indirect support for dozens of children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including a nurse to conduct diabetes education and home visits, along with follow-up for children who miss a scheduled appointment. The Life for a Child Program has also initiated a historic first in the country: the first HbA1C blood glucose testing.
• In Rwanda, Lilly and other Life for a Child partners, including local sources, help provide adequate insulin and diabetes education for virtually all the known children and adolescents with diabetes in the country.
• In Tanzania, Lilly funds sustain care for 50 of the neediest children in Dar-es-Salaam, and provided for an HbA1c testing machine for the National Diabetes Centre.
• Additionally, in cooperation with Rotary International and local groups, Lilly is supporting an effort to begin fostering care for 100 children in Cameroon.

As depicted in the documentary Life for a Child, the contributions of Lilly employees also support the care of children with diabetes in Nepal, including the three children profiled in the film. Lilly and IDF produced the film to raise awareness of the devastating impact of diabetes and increase support for the Life for a Child Program.

About Lilly Diabetes

Through a long-standing commitment to diabetes care, Lilly provides patients with breakthrough treatments that enable them to live longer, healthier and fuller lives. Since 1923, Lilly has been the industry leader in pioneering therapies to help health care professionals improve the lives of people with diabetes, and research continues on innovative medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. 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.