LillyforLife(TM) Ambassador Kris Freeman Named to 2006 U.S. Olympic Ski Team
19 January 2006 - 12:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Freeman's Accomplishments Example of Unlimited Success People with
Diabetes Can Achieve INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Kris Freeman, 25, of Andover, N.H., was named to the U.S.
Olympic Ski Team. Earlier this month, Freeman re-affirmed his
status as the number-one cross-country skier in the country after
adding two more titles to his resume. Freeman won the 15- kilometer
classic and 30-kilometer pursuit events at the U.S. Cross-Country
Championships held in Soldier Hollow, UT. With these
accomplishments, Freeman, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in
September 2000, proves again that people with diabetes can lead
full and active lifestyles. When Freeman was first diagnosed with
diabetes, he thought his skiing days and dreams of an Olympic medal
were over. However, through diligent diabetes management, Freeman
gained control of his disease and is now poised to be the first
American since 1976 to medal in cross-country skiing -- a sport
typically dominated by Scandinavian and Central European athletes.
As part of his commitment to helping others who have diabetes,
Freeman serves as the ambassador of Eli Lilly and Company's (Lilly)
LillyforLife(TM) program, which celebrates the inspiring
achievements of people of all ages who live with diabetes. In 2001,
Freeman became a spokesperson for Lilly, the maker of the insulin
he takes to control his diabetes. "We are thrilled that Kris
continues to achieve such excellence, and we all hope the best for
him in the upcoming Olympics," said Ron Hoven, diabetes care
marketing director, Eli Lilly and Company. "He is a shining example
of how people with diabetes can lead very normal, and in this case,
exceptional lives." Diabetes is a progressive disease with no cure,
but Freeman knows it does not mean the end of his career. With the
help of this health care team, he manages a grueling training
regimen while keeping his diabetes under control. He checks his
blood sugar up to 10 times each day while training, injects himself
with insulin up to 10 times each day and consumes up to 5,000
carefully planned calories to keep his blood sugar moderated. "I
know firsthand that diabetes does not have to hold you back,"
Freeman said. "By proactively managing my diabetes with insulin,
eating healthy, and exercising, I am able to continue my pursuit of
a gold medal." Between trainings and competitions, Freeman
continues to travel the country with Lilly to educate others and
inspire them to take charge of their diabetes. For more information
about Kris Freeman and the LillyforLife program, visit
http://www.lillyforlife.com/ . About Diabetes According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes affects nearly
21 million Americans and of that, nearly one-third, or
approximately 6 million people, do not know they have the disease.
Roughly 5 percent to 10 percent of those with diabetes have type 1,
a condition where the body does not produce insulin. Diabetes is
the sixth-leading cause of death by disease and costs approximately
$132 billion per year in direct and indirect medical expenses. Type
1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and
was previously known as juvenile diabetes. 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 about Lilly's current
diabetes products, visit http://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. Additional information about Lilly is available at
http://www.lilly.com/ . O-LLY (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060117/FREEMAN ) (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO ) First Call
Analyst: FCMN Contact: terrafox@lilly.com
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060117/FREEMAN DATASOURCE:
Eli Lilly and Company CONTACT: Jamaison Schuler of Eli Lilly and
Company, +1-317-655-2111, pager: +1-877-501-5306
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