2006 Lilly Oncology on Canvas(SM) International Art Competition Receives More Than 2,000 Entries

2006 Lilly Oncology on Canvas(SM) International Art Competition Receives More Than 2,000 Entries

Free Exhibitions Planned in London and New York

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- If a picture paints a thousand words, just imagine what two thousand images can say. Eli Lilly and Company is proud to be the recipient of more than 2,000 works of art from 43 countries for the 2006 Lilly Oncology on Canvas(SM): Expressions of a Cancer Journey International Art Competition and Exhibition. If the artwork were laid end to end in a straight line, it would span the length of 14 football fields.

Presented by Eli Lilly and Company, in partnership with the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), Lilly Oncology on Canvas invited people from all over the world to put their feelings about cancer on canvas and in narrative. People diagnosed with any type of cancer, their families and friends, cancer advocates, health care providers, artists and art students were all eligible. This is the second Lilly Oncology on Canvas competition. The competition was launched by Lilly in 2004 to help people affected by cancer deal with the emotional side effects of the disease, an important part of the healing process. The 2004 collection of art has since toured the world.

The 2006 Lilly Oncology on Canvas competition represents nearly a 500 percent increase in entries over the inaugural competition. In 2004, more than 400 entries were received, including 56 entries from the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The 2006 competition yielded more than 2,000 entries, including 491 entries from the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

"We are proud of the substantial increase in entries because it clearly reflects the value of this program," said John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., president and chief operating officer of Lilly. "In addition to our relentless efforts to discover innovative cancer treatments, Lilly is dedicated to helping treat the whole patient, and providing inspiration for all affected by this disease."

"A cancer diagnosis often evokes feelings of fear, anger and despair," said Ellen Stovall, NCCS president and CEO, Lilly Oncology on Canvas judge, and a two-time, 34-year cancer survivor. "But at NCCS, we believe that all those diagnosed with cancer are survivors from the moment of diagnosis, and where there is life, there is hope. Lilly Oncology on Canvas embodies this spirit and NCCS is proud to be associated with it."

The competition now moves on to the judging phase. Winners will be selected from six categories (watercolor, oil, pastel, photography, acrylic, other) and will be chosen by an independent panel of judges, comprised of cancer survivors, oncologists, journalists, cancer advocates and artists (see below). Winners will be awarded monetary prizes for the cancer charities of their choice.

The Lilly Oncology on Canvas winners will be announced to the media at two upcoming grand finales in London and New York City, November 3 and December 5, respectively. The London event will be graced with the presence of HRH The Duke of Gloucester (first cousin to HM Queen Elizabeth II). The New York event will include a live musical performance by a special guest.

After the finale events, the exhibitions will be open to the public free of charge as follows:

* Royal College of Art, London, November 3, 1:00 - 5:30 p.m., November
4-6, 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
* Metropolitan Pavilion, The Level, New York City, December 6-8,
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

The 2004 Lilly Oncology on Canvas exhibition will continue to tour the world at hospitals, cancer centers and art galleries. The 2006 entries will tour throughout 2007 and 2008.

For more information on Lilly Oncology on Canvas, log on to www.LillyOncology.com and click on the Lilly Oncology on Canvas icon.

The 2006 Lilly Oncology on Canvas Judging Panel (in alphabetical order):
Catalina Aroch, 2004 Global Winner, Lilly Oncology on Canvas
Anita Chernewski, U.S. Art Director, Lilly Oncology on Canvas (Ex-Officio)
Michael Cullen, M.D., Consultant Medical Oncologist, Queen Elizabeth
Hospital
Evangelina Elizondo, Actress, Mexico
Christopher Frayling, Professor, Royal College of Art
Celia Hall, Medical Editor, The Daily Telegraph
Sandra Horning, M.D., Past President, American Society of Clinical
Oncology (ASCO)
Alison Jones, M.D., Consultant Medical Oncologist, Royal Free Hospital
Geralyn Lucas, Cancer Survivor, Author and Producer, Lifetime Television
Martin Murphy, M.D., Editor in Chief, The Oncologist
Jerry Parsons, Global Art Director, Lilly Oncology on Canvas (Ex-Officio)
Ellen Stovall, President and CEO, National Coalition for Cancer
Survivorship (NCCS)
Thomas Stuttaford, M.D., Health Columnist, The Times
Maria Valerio, Reporter, El Mundo
Nicole Zernik, Presidente, Europa Donna, France

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS)

NCCS is the oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country and a highly respected authentic voice at the federal level, advocating for quality cancer care for all Americans and empowering cancer survivors. For more information about NCCS and its advocacy for quality cancer care, please visit www.canceradvocacy.org or call 1.877.NCCS.YES

Lilly Oncology, a Division of Eli Lilly and Company

For more than four decades, Lilly Oncology has been collaborating with cancer researchers to deliver innovative treatment choices and valuable programs to patients and physicians worldwide. Inspired by the courageous patients living with cancer, Lilly Oncology is providing treatments that are considered global standards of care and developing a broad portfolio of novel targeted therapies to accelerate the pace and progress of cancer care. To learn more about Lilly's commitment to cancer, please visit www.LillyOncology.com.

About Eli Lilly and Company

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.

O-LLY

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CONTACT: Christine Van Marter of Eli Lilly and Company, +1-317-651-1473,
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