News Release

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Ryan Reed's pit crew will have a different look during American Diabetes Month in November. Each pit crew member's fire suit will feature the name of a winner of the My Diabetes Pit Crew Sweepstakes, a program sponsored by Lilly Diabetes. As honorary pit crew members, Sweepstakes winners can also have their photo displayed on a mosaic banner that will decorate Reed's pit wall during the three NASCAR XFINITY Series races in November.   

"Managing my diabetes can be challenging, but I have a great support system rallying behind me the entire way," said Reed, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2011. "Just as my on-track pit crew helps support me during a race, my diabetes pit crew gives me the support I need to manage my diabetes every day, keeping me accountable and helping me execute the plan my doctor has developed for me. I am excited to have these winners be honorary pit crew members and thus, be part of my journey."

Reed's honorary pit crew members are:

O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge, Texas Motor Speedway, Nov. 7

• Anne DePerty, Sarasota, FL
• Ashley VanDresser, Florence, CO
• David Ashburn, Piqua, OH
• Don Adams, Akron, OH

DAV 200 - Honoring America's Veterans, Phoenix International Speedway, Nov. 14

• Amber Clour, Oklahoma City, OK
• Michael Adams, Stockbridge, GA
• Phil Larson, Las Vegas, NV
• Sherrie Holdaway, S. Payson, UT

Ford Ecoboost 300, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Nov. 21

• Jeff Munden, Speedway, IN
• Jenn Shilale, Oxford, MA
• Katie Anderson, Sacramento, CA
• Larry Curtis, Westminster, MD
• Sara Falconer, Tucson, AZ

Winners will also receive a congratulatory phone call from Reed and educational materials about diabetes from Lilly Diabetes. Following the November races, winners will receive their personalized fire suit patch signed by Reed. 

The My Diabetes Pit Crew Sweepstakes builds on the success of the My Diabetes Pit Crew video series, which featured the people who support Reed on the track (his NASCAR pit crew) and off the track (his diabetes pit crew) and the role each plays in maintaining his car and his health. 

Since his diagnosis, Reed has joined forces with Lilly Diabetes and the American Diabetes Association on Drive to Stop Diabetes^SM, an initiative that encourages people to take action to understand their risk for diabetes or, if they have diabetes, work with their doctor to manage it. Through Reed's example, children and adults with diabetes can see that the disease doesn't have to stand in the way of achieving their goals.

For more information on Ryan Reed or Drive to Stop Diabetes^SM, visit www.DriveToStopDiabetes.org, follow it on Twitter at @D2SDiabetes, follow Reed on Twitter at @driverRyanReed, like him on Facebook or follow Lilly Diabetes on Twitter at @LillyDiabetes.

About Lilly Diabetes
Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world's first commercial insulin. Today we are building upon this heritage by working to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes and those who care for them. Through research and collaboration, a broad and growing product portfolio and a continued determination to provide real solutions—from medicines to support programs and more—we strive to make life better for all those affected by diabetes around the world. For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com or follow us on Twitter: @LillyDiabetes.

About Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY)  
Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at www.lilly.com and newsroom.lilly.com/social-channels. (P-LLY)

PP-LD-US-0653 09/2015 ©Lilly USA, LLC 2015. All rights reserved.              

Refer to: Julie Williams; (317) 627-4056; williamsju@lilly.com 

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company