Lilly USA, LLC and Vision Racing Encourage Fans to get on Track With Their Health
06 May 2009 - 12:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Vision Racing Wellness Tour Offers Free Diabetes Screenings and
Information at IndyCar Series Races INDIANAPOLIS, May 5
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Vision Racing Wellness Tour makes its
first pit stop on May 8, also known as Fast Friday, at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In its second year, the Wellness Tour,
a collaboration between Indianapolis-based companies Lilly and
Vision Racing, will provide racing fans with free diabetes
screenings with A1c testing and risk factor assessment, along with
cholesterol and blood pressure testing. During the 2009 season, the
Tour will travel to select IndyCar Series races, including the
Indianapolis 500, with this free off-the-track health offering.
While receiving a diabetes check-up may not be considered a typical
racetrack activity, race fans may be surprised to learn just how
common diabetes is and about the seriousness of its resulting
complications. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, diabetes affects nearly 24 million Americans
nationwide; nearly one-fourth, or approximately 6 million of those
affected are unaware that they have the disease.(1) Furthermore,
diabetes is associated with an increased risk for a number of
serious and potentially life-threatening complications, such as
blindness, kidney failure and leg amputations, among others.(2) The
Vision Racing Wellness Tour aims to provide people with the
education and resources they need to be aware of diabetes and other
important health issues. "Through our partnership with Vision
Racing, we have a great opportunity to bring a truly unique health
offering to the track," said Rob Brown, vice president and chief
marketing officer, Lilly USA. "In select cities, IndyCar race fans
will have access to a certified diabetes educator in addition to
the diabetes screenings at the Wellness Tour. Through these
offerings, Lilly hopes to help people stay on track with their
health." Vision Racing team drivers Ed Carpenter and Ryan
Hunter-Reay, ambassadors for the Wellness Tour, are encouraging
fans to get in the driver's seat when it comes to managing their
health by visiting the Wellness Tour Unit. "At Vision Racing, we're
known for our skills on the racetrack, but our commitment to the
fans extends off the track as well," said Vision Racing Owner Tony
George. "Along with Lilly's continued support, we can raise
awareness about diabetes and improve the health and well-being of
our communities, one race at a time." Throughout the month of May,
the Wellness Tour will provide three days of free diabetes testing
at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, culminating with the
Indianapolis 500 on May 24. Additionally, during the 2009 season,
the Wellness Tour will travel to IndyCar Series races in West
Allis, Wis.; Fort Worth, Texas; Newton, Iowa; Richmond, Va.; and
Lexington, Ohio. For more information about Vision Racing, please
visit http://www.visionracing.com/ and for more information about
diabetes, 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. Information about
Lilly is available at http://www.lilly.com/. 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 http://www.lillydiabetes.com/. About Vision
Racing Vision Racing is owned and operated by Tony and Laura George
as well as actor Patrick Dempsey of ABC's Grey's Anatomy and is
based in Indianapolis, Indiana in a 32,000 square foot facility.
The team competes full-time in the IndyCar Series and is entering
its fifth season of IndyCar Series competition. The team is coming
off eight top-ten finishes and four additional top-five finishes
including a fifth place finish in the Indianapolis 500 by Ed
Carpenter and a fourth place run by Paul Tracy at Edmonton. The
team features returning IndyCar Series driver Ed Carpenter and
welcomes veteran Ryan Hunter-Reay for 2009. New for 2009 is a
return to the Firestone Indy Lights Series with driver James
Davison as well as a technical partnership with new FIL team Bryan
Herta Autosport and driver Daniel Herrington. Vision Racing
continues to proudly perpetuate the legacy of the Hulman-George
family through motorsports excellence, by demonstrating the
traditions and heritage of the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Racing.
O-LLY (1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
National diabetes Fact Sheet: General Information and National
Estimates on Diabetes in the United States, 2007. U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2007 (2) American Diabetes Association. Type 2 Diabetes
Complications.
http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/complications.jsp. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO ) (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090505/VISIONRACINGLOGO )
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090505/VISIONLOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Eli Lilly and Company
CONTACT: Daphne Hoytt, MS&L, +1-212-468-3558, or Pat Caporali,
Vision Racing, +1-317-373-9895
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