Yamin to serve as Ambassador for Diabetes Campaign

'AMERICAN IDOL' Finalist Elliott Yamin to Serve as Ambassador for Inspired by Diabetes Campaign

October 12, 2007

"American Idol" finalist and rising Hickory Records recording artist Elliott Yamin -- whose U.S. tour kicked off this month -- is joining the Inspired by Diabetes global campaign to support the care of children in developing nations.

Yamin, who has type 1 diabetes, will serve as a Global Ambassador to promote the Inspired by Diabetes Creative Expression Competition, a global and national contest asking people with diabetes, as well as their family and friends, to express how diabetes has had an impact on their lives -- and share those stories with others around the world through art, essay, poetry, photography and music.

By entering the competition, participants can have a direct impact on the lives of children with diabetes around the world.

For each entry, global champion Eli Lilly and Company will donate funds to the International Diabetes Federation's Life for a Child program, which provides life-saving diabetes supplies to more than 500 children in 13 developing countries. And for every entry received in the United States, Lilly will also contribute funds toward diabetes youth outreach initiatives in the U.S., through scholarships for American Diabetes Association camps.

Yamin was a finalist on "American Idol" Season 5 and has been on a meteoric rise since launching his self-titled debut album in spring 2007. His first single, "Wait for You," reached the Top 3 of the Billboard Pop 200 chart, has been a top five single for 10 weeks and spent 8 weeks at No. 1 on the VH1 "V-Spot" video countdown. The single is also close to achieving "gold" status with nearly 700,000 units sold. Yamin's U.S. tour began Oct. 5.

In addition to promoting the contest, Yamin will serve as a judge for entries from the U.S., and will donate a package of concert tickets and backstage passes to the U.S. grand prize winners.

"I'm thrilled to be joining this important campaign to help children with diabetes around the world," said Yamin, 29, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 16. "Children in developing nations often lack the medicines, supplies, education and basic care they need to survive and thrive. Even here in the U.S., there are kids who want to attend a diabetes camp but can't afford it. By participating in the Inspired by Diabetes contest and expressing how diabetes affects you, you can have a direct impact on a child's life."

Inspired by Diabetes is a global collaboration among Lilly, IDF's Unite for Diabetes initiative and the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD). In the United States, ADA is serving as the Inspired by Diabetes U.S. national advocate.

Yamin is already serving as a special ambassador for ADA's youth outreach initiatives, and will participate in the IDF-led events to celebrate the first United Nations-designated World Diabetes Day on November 14 in New York.

"Elliott's story should inspire us all," said Darlene Cain, Chair of the Board, ADA. "As the U.S. National Advocate for Inspired by Diabetes, we're excited that Elliott's popularity and passion for this cause can help us spread the word and encourage more entries into the contest. The more entries we receive, the more we can help kids with diabetes here in the United States and around the world."

Inspired by Diabetes Contest information

Children, people with diabetes and their family members and friends are encouraged to enter the contest. Health care professionals are also invited to enter.

Grand prize winners will be selected for both the U.S. and global contests for each participant group, with the winners (excluding health care professionals) receiving a trip to attend a media briefing and formal exhibition of the winning entries.

Participants from the United States will also have their submissions entered into a separate U.S. contest with a chance to win both the global and national competitions. U.S. grand prize winners will also receive tickets and backstage passes to attend an Elliott Yamin concert in 2008.

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