Multi-talented, Neo-Soul Singer Angie Stone Belts a New Tune: Be Fearless in the FACE of Diabetes

Multi-talented, Neo-Soul Singer Angie Stone Belts a New Tune: Be Fearless in the FACE of Diabetes

Grammy Award-nominated artist encourages African-Americans living with diabetes to take control of their disease

CHICAGO, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Singer-songwriter Angie Stone -- whose debut Stax Records CD, "The Art of Love and War," hits the airwaves this month -- has teamed up with Eli Lilly and Company to launch the Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (F.A.C.E.) Diabetes campaign to encourage African-Americans with diabetes to take control and learn how to manage their disease.

Stone, who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes eight years ago, will serve as the spokesperson for the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign, which launches in Chicago at Salem Baptist Church Children's Ministry Building on November 10. Through a series of practical and sustainable programs in local communities, the campaign's goal is to help foster behavioral and attitudinal changes in areas critical to success in managing diabetes such as nutrition/cooking, physical activity, health and overall well-being. Stone will be back in Chicago in December 2007 and January 2008 to participate in additional campaign events. The F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign also has an online component, www.FACE-Diabetes.com, which includes information on diabetes, upcoming event details and Stone's personal journey with diabetes.

"When I was first diagnosed with diabetes, I was in total denial about my disease and its impact on my life. I didn't understand the importance of following my doctor's treatment program and making lifestyle changes to better manage my diet and my weight," said Stone. "But through trial and error and working with my healthcare team, my diabetes is finally under control. I've joined forces with the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign because I want to be an example and encourage our community to get active and fearlessly face diabetes."

African-Americans in the United States are disproportionately impacted by diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than three million African-Americans are diagnosed with diabetes(1), and additional research suggests nearly one million African-Americans remain undiagnosed(2). The Chicago Department of Health estimates that the overall prevalence of diabetes is 10.5 percent; however, the rate of diabetes in African-American adults is estimated to be even higher at 17.1 percent(3).

"We all know someone with diabetes. It may be a family member, a neighbor, or a friend," said Margaret Davis, executive director, Chicago Healthcare Consortium. "Just because there's a high prevalence in our community doesn't mean we should accept diabetes as something we can't change. I'm challenging African-Americans to take a stance and face diabetes head-on by attending a F.A.C.E. Diabetes event to get informed and be part of this community movement to better ourselves, and our health."

"Lilly is thrilled to support the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign in Chicago and help African-Americans learn to better manage a disease that can lead to devastating complications if left uncontrolled," said Baryona Billington, Manager, Diabetes Business Unit, Eli Lilly and Company. "We at Lilly understand that medical intervention alone will not stop the diabetes epidemic. Campaigns like F.A.C.E. Diabetes provide practical tools and community programs to help individuals achieve greater success in managing their disease."

The F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign is an educational initiative that is a direct result of a collaborative effort between Lilly, Chicago community organizations and city leadership. The launch of the campaign will take place from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on November 10 at Salem Baptist Church Children's Ministry Building (10909 Cottage Grove Road, Chicago, IL 60628):

    * Angie Stone will share her personal journey with diabetes and host this      community-wide launch event that features diabetes and nutrition      experts and food sampling.    * In December, just in time for the holidays, Stone will be back in the      Chicago community as part of a holiday cooking demonstration with the      Soulfood chefs presenting delicious, healthy and soulful meals for      people with diabetes.    * The Soulfood chefs -- Fabiola Demps Gaines and Roniece Weaver -- are      well-known dietitians, creators of the Soul Food Pyramid, and authors      of The New Soul Food Cookbook For People Living With Diabetes.   

Through these and subsequent events, the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign will help individuals and neighborhoods learn to overcome key barriers to success in living with diabetes.

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

The Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (F.A.C.E.) Diabetes Campaign 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. African-Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes(4). Supported by Eli Lilly and Company, and national and local health advocacy organizations, the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign will implement a series of practical and sustainable programs, which will help foster behavioral and attitudinal changes in areas critical to success in managing diabetes such as nutrition/cooking, physical activity, health and overall well-being. For additional information about the F.A.C.E. Diabetes campaign and/or events, go to www.FACE-Diabetes.com.

About Angie Stone

South Carolina native Angie Stone began singing at First Nazareth Baptist Church as a child and by the age of sixteen, she formed the rap trio, The Sequence. Their hits for Sugarhill Records showcased Angie's vocal chops to the world beyond her Carolina home, and by the mid '80s, she had worked with top producers in the music world as well as signed with A&M Records with her neo-soul trio, Vertical Hold. In 1999, Stone released her much-heralded debut solo album, "Black Diamond," on Arista Records. The word on Angie was that she was a modern day-Aretha Franklin providing an exuberant return to classic soul. Stone quickly became a certified-gold CD artist as well as an international star. Her new album, released in October 2007, "The Art of Love & War," is her debut CD for newly reactivated Stax Records. Writing over 90% of the songs, the album highlights her personal journey through her diary of love, pain, joy and empowerment and showcases every nuance of her vocal range.

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. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.

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REFERENCES

1. African American and Diabetes Facts. http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and- localevents/africanamerican/facts.jsp. Last accessed 16 October 2007.

2. Diabetes in African Americans. http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/b44.htm. Last accessed October 23, 2007.

3. Aggregated Illinois Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Data, 2005. Chicago Department of Health.

4. African American and Diabetes Facts. http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and- localevents/africanamerican/facts.jsp. Last accessed 16 October 2007.

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Source: Eli Lilly and Company

CONTACT: Daphne Hoytt of Manning Selvage & Lee, +1-917-406-2779; Morry
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Profile: International Entertainment