Multi-talented, Neo-Soul Singer Angie Stone Belts a New Tune: Be Fearless in the FACE of Diabetes
November 06 2007 - 8:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
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, http://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
http://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
http://www.lilly.com/. P-LLY 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. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071106/CLTU016LOGO )
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071106/CLTU016LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Eli Lilly and Company
CONTACT: Daphne Hoytt of Manning Selvage & Lee,
+1-917-406-2779; Morry Smulevitz of Eli Lilly and Company,
+1-317-457-3294
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