"Focus on Your Possibilities" ADHD Scholarship Winners Announced

Lilly Program Provides Tuition Assistance for Adults With ADHD

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced the winners of the "Focus on Your Possibilities" scholarship program, the first and only scholarship program specifically for adults living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Twenty scholarships totaling $100,000 have been awarded, allowing recipients to use the funds toward traditional colleges, graduate schools, institutes or General Education Development (GED) courses. Scholarship winners plan to study topics ranging from nursing to psychology to grief therapy.

Applicants for the "Focus on Your Possibilities" scholarship were asked to provide a personal essay highlighting the impact that ADHD has on their lives. They also were asked to provide examples of how they have been able to persevere in spite of their ADHD. Powerful excerpts from winners' applications include:

"Today I am more motivated and passionate about school than I have ever been. My desire to learn and achieve success is at an ultimate high. I am driven to fulfill the potential that I have always had, but which had been suppressed for so long through this disorder, as well as a society that did not understand it... I see now that I am not 'weak' or 'slow' or an 'airhead,' but rather an intelligent woman trapped in a brain that works differently than most... I have nothing to be ashamed of." -- Karine R. Mozerka, San Diego, CA

"In the time after my divorce I did a lot of reflection on my life and started searching for answers as to why things always seemed to go so wrong for me. I found out about ADHD and it was truly an epiphany -- a moment where I said to myself, 'This is me. This is what is wrong with me'... I just finished my first semester and got straight As. I am very excited about college this time around and just a bit saddened about the wasted time." -- Maria L. Humphrey, Port Orchard, WA

"The impact of this scholarship goes far beyond the financial assistance it will provide the winners," said David Giwerc, president of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA). "Many of these individuals have at times been very discouraged during their education. This recognition will help to motivate them to continue on the paths they have started. These adults have incredible talent and energy, and this scholarship only confirms their commitment and desire to succeed."

Experts estimate that more than eight million adults in the United States have ADHD, the vast majority of whom are undiagnosed(1)(2). ADHD can impact every aspect of an adult's life, leading to difficulties in school and with relationships and employment. In fact, an adult living with ADHD is nearly twice as likely to be fired from a job(3), twice as likely to be divorced or separated(4) and six times more likely to have a suspended driver's license(5).

To apply for the "Focus on Your Possibilities" scholarship, adults age 25 and older had to meet the following criteria:

--  Be diagnosed with ADHD by a physician and undergoing treatment.
--  Be enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited college,
    university, vocational/technical school or GED program on a full-time
    basis;
--  Provide examples of significant drive and passion that enables them to
    capitalize on their talents through education.
    

Each application was reviewed by a panel of physician and advocacy experts as well as Lilly personnel.

"Identifying 20 winners from the more than 150 applications we received was an extremely difficult process as each individual was deserving," said Dr. David Baron, chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Sciences at Temple University School of Medicine and Temple University Hospital and member of the selection committee. "It was clear from the personal essays that all of the applicants have faced many challenges throughout their lives as they lived with the effects of ADHD. We are excited to be playing a small role in encouraging our winners to continue their education."

Below is a list of additional scholarship winners along with their intended course of study:

--  Peter L. Westre, St. Peter, MN: Nursing
--  Kelly Van Dover, Glendale, AZ: International management
--  Joanna Peluso, Morrison, CO: Humanities
--  Michele Aranguiz, Portland, OR: Conflict resolution
--  Nancy Mitchell Hludzik, Conyngham, PA: Elementary education and
    psychology
--  Elizabeth Heiney, Louisville, KY: Clinical psychology
--  Jolanda Davila-Mason, St. Louisville, OH: Management
--  Joanna Bloss, Wheaton, IL: General studies
--  Kyle Courtney Stanton, Moyock, NC: Nursing
--  Michael Cambruzzi, Clearlake, CA: Social work
--  Katherine Hobbs, Wilmington, NC: Nursing
    

About Lilly

Lilly, 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. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., 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.

References
(1) Murphy K, Barkley, RA. J Atten disord. 1996; 1:147-161.
(2) United States Census Summary File; 2000.
(3) Murphy K, Barkley RA, Compr Psychiatry. 1996; 37(6):393-401.
(4) Biederman J. et al. Am J Psychiatry. 1993; 150(12);1792-1798l.
(5) Murphy K, Barkley RA, Compr Psychiatry. 1996; 37(6):393-401.

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