Creative Expression Competition For Children With Diabetes.

Ready, set, Create! A new global contest to benefit children and adolescents living with diabetes will begin at the annual Children with Diabetes meeting on July 11 in Orlando Florida. It is considered the single largest gathering of children with type 1 diabetes and their families in the world. The Inspired by Diabetes Creative Expression Competition, a collaboration between Eli Lilly and Company and the International Diabetes Federations (IDF) Unite for Diabetes initiative, asks people with diabetes as well as their family, friends and healthcare professionals to express their experiences with diabetes through art, writing (short essay or poem), photography and music and to share those stories with others around the world. In the United States the American Diabetes Association is serving as the Inspired by Diabetes U.S. national advocate. When people enter the contest, they will receive two blue circle diabetes pins, illustrating the global symbol for diabetes. For each set of pins distributed, a dollar will be donated to the IDFs Life for a Child program, which provides diabetes care for children in developing nations. In the U.S. specifically, Lilly will also commit funds to support initiatives for children with diabetes. With appropriate care and education, children with diabetes can live full, happy and healthy lives, said Francine Kaufman, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive Childhood Diabetes Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and author of the best-selling book Diabesity. In developing countries, however, many children die soon after diagnosis; many others face the burden of diabetes complications while still young. No child should die of diabetes. By supporting the Inspired by Diabetes initiative and by wearing the diabetes pin, people can help save lives and encourage governments everywhere to establish appropriate care for children with diabetes. More on Francine R. Kaufman, M.D.: Dr. Kaufman is director of the Comprehensive Childhood Diabetes Center , and head of the Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. She is also distinguished professor of Pediatrics and Communications at the Keck School of Medicine and the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Southern California. Dr. Kaufman is the author of the lauded book, Diabesity (Bantam Dell/Random House), published in 2005, to critical acclaim. Dr. Kaufman is also past president of the ADA, 2002-03, and was a delegate to the World Health Organization Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland in 2002. She has published more than 120 peer-reviewed publications, and she is the author of more than 30 books/chapters. For more info visit: http://www.inspiredbydiabetes.com http://www.inspiredbydiabetes.com To View Video: