Egyptian winners who shared their unique stories through art are now entered into the global art competition
Cairo - May 5, 2008 - The local Egyptian winners of the global art competition, 'Inspired by Diabetes' were announced yesterday as part of the international initiative to raise awareness about the devastating disease. 'Inspired by Diabetes', a collaboration between Lilly and the International Diabetes Federation's (IDF) Unite for Diabetes initiative, aims to engage people with diabetes as well as their families and friends to creatively express how diabetes has impacted their lives.
The contest is a unique way of drawing attention to the global epidemic that affects nearly 250 million people worldwide. Here in Egypt, diabetes is on the rise. The IDF predicts that nearly 7.6 million Egyptians will have the disease by 2025, making it one of the top 10 countries in the world in relation to diabetes incidence.
The regional competition launched by Eli Lilly and supported by the National Diabetes Institute, awarded four winners who shared their unique stories about the disease through their art. These winners will now move on to the global competition for a chance to win a $5,000 USD contribution to charity, trophy and an all-expense paid trip to attend the opening of the U.S. exhibition.
There were four Egyptian winners in two separate categories; children below and children above the age of 9 years old.
Abdel Rahin., winner of the competition for children under 9, was exciting that his drawing was chosen from the hundreds of Egyptian submissions. His drawing, titled 'Insulin Leads Children to a Safe Haven', shows children being driven in cars that look like needles while other children play football under the sun.
"I came up with the idea for my drawing because a member of our family is diabetic and so there are always needles around my house," he says. "The title 'Insulin leads children to a safe haven' made sense because it is true in my house; insulin lets the person have a normal life and be able to play with brothers and friends like all other kids."
May. worked with her sister on her drawing, which won the competition for children over 9 years.
"I wanted to inform people that diabetes is a disease people can live with and that they can still have a normal life, live and play like everyone else," says May. "All it takes is to know how to manage diabetes and what to do to control it," she explains. "Regular check ups and blood sugar testing are the key for a good management of diaqbetes"
All submissions to the local contest were judged by local artists, healthcare practitioners and media based on their artistic quality, creativity, and the emotional impact of the artwork. Judging committee was headed by Prof. Ibrahim El- Ibrachy, Dean of the National Diabetes Institute- Ministry of health and population, diabetes expert doctors from all over Egypt and Population, Nahed Hamza, Deputy Chief Editor of Al Akhbar and Nabil Shawky, a local Egyptian artist.
"This contest has a real power to let diabetic patients and people around them express how diabetes affect their lives. The large number of participation in this contest from the Middle East Region encourages us to relaunch the event in the future, further helping to raise awareness about this disease and its growing impact on our society", says Rima Maalouf Corporate Communication Manager of Eli Lilly for the Middle East and North Africa Area.
Lilly is also running Inspired by Diabetes in several countries in the Middle East.
Visit www.inspiredbydiabetes-me.com to see all winning artwork from across the Middle East.
Information about sponsors of "Inspired by Diabetes ":
Lilly:
Lilly is 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. Lilly provides answers - through medicines and information - for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.
In June 1998, Lilly established the first human insulin manufacturing facility in Egypt, Middle East and Africa, inaugurated by President Mubarak. Today it exports to more than 10 countries in Asia and Africa and ranks in the top exporters in the pharmaceutical industry.
IDF:
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is the global advocate for more than 240 million people with diabetes worldwide. It represents 200 diabetes associations in more than 160 countries. Its mission is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. IDF is an NGO in official relations with the World Health Organization and an associated NGO with the United Nations Department of Public Information. Additional information about IDF is available at www.idf.org.
-Ends-
Issued by TBWA/RAAD, an exclusive Ketchum affiliate, on behalf of Eli Lilly (Suisse) S.A. For more information, kindly contact
Christine Hanna,
Fourth Dimension Public Relations,
14 Syria St., Mohandseen,
Cairo,
Egypt
Tel: (202) 3 760 9988
Email: christine@fdpr.net
© Press Release 2008
