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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
DAV 200 - Honoring America's Veterans, Phoenix International Speedway, Nov. 14
Ford Ecoboost 300, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Nov. 21
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 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)
Refer to: Julie Williams; (317) 627-4056; [email protected]
SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company