Lilly Diabetes donates $92,000 in camp scholarships to the American Diabetes Association

Today Lilly Diabetes announced its support of the American Diabetes Association (Association) summer camp program by donating $92,000 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. The program’s goal is to help children with diabetes learn to independently manage their disease while they enjoy traditional camp activities.

Lilly Diabetes has donated $623,000 to the Association’s Campership program since 2008, which awards scholarships based on financial need. This has allowed hundreds of children with diabetes to attend summer camps supported by staff and medical professionals who oversee and assist campers with daily diabetes care. But for many, it still comes down to the experience.

Pam from North Carolina, says at first her son didn’t even want to go to camp, but at the end of that first week it was hard to get him to leave – that was five years ago. Pam’s 16-year-old son has attended Camp Carolina Trails every summer since and has learned to take charge of his diabetes, thanks to the confidence and skills gained at camp. She says going to camp has taught him there’s life beyond being a kid with diabetes and credits the Association and its supporters for helping provide that important lesson.

For many children with diabetes, going to a diabetes camp builds confidence and helps them realize they are not alone with the disease. Guidance in blood glucose monitoring, meal planning and physical activity is provided in a supervised, fun, relaxed setting and teaches children the self-management skills they’ll use for a lifetime.

“Attending an Association camp may be the first time they meet another child with type 1 diabetes. This may seem minor, but to our campers and their families, this is life-changing.  Association camps may also be the first time parents feel comfortable sending a child with diabetes away from home,” said Jane Chiang, MD, senior vice president, medical and community affairs, at the American Diabetes Association. “The American Diabetes Association is grateful to Lilly Diabetes for supporting and providing this opportunity for these youth, where they can build their self-esteem, establish life-long friendships and gain independence.”

The American Diabetes Association is the world’s largest provider of camps for children with diabetes, with 42 camps serving more than 5400 campers in 2014. In the past decade, Lilly Diabetes has donated more than $25 million in insulin and other diabetes medicines, educational materials and scholarships and has also provided special guest speakers.

“Providing children the opportunity to attend diabetes camps is one of the most important things we can do to support their ability to continue to live well with diabetes and manage their disease in an independent environment,” said David Kendall, MD, vice president of medical affairs, Lilly Diabetes. “The positive impact and positive experiences that camps offer children living with diabetes, both physically and emotionally, is one very important way to improve their ability to live active, healthy lives with diabetes and learn from others on ways to maintain good blood glucose control over years. As a physician, and as a former camp volunteer, I am so pleased that we at Lilly Diabetes can support a program that provides such important benefits.”

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