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, 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."
