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The Lions Diabetes Awareness Program was introduced in 1984. Lions became involved in diabetes education because diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among people between the ages of 20 to 74. Nearly one-half of people with known diabetes have some degree of diabetic retinopathy. |
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Promote Diabetes Awareness in Your Community
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The Strides: Lions Walk for Diabetes Awareness program is an excellent way for Lions to promote diabetes awareness in their communities. This program offers an educational, low-impact, walking activity for community involvement.
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National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is a leading public education program that promotes diabetes prevention and control in the USA. Lions are encouraged to visit the website for more information about diabetes, including educational resources and publications suitable for distribution to the public.
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Anyone with diabetes is at risk for the visual complications that result from diabetes. The Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) is a public awareness program that empowers communities to save sight. LEHP raises awareness of the causes of preventable vision loss, such as diabetic eye diseases, glaucoma and low vision. LEHP has been active in the USA, Japan, the British Isles and Ireland, Canada, Australia and Turkey.
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World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14 and was established by the International Federation of Diabetes and The World Health Organization in 1991. Lions are encouraged to facilitate diabetes community awareness events on this day. |
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Lions Diabetes Education Month is celebrated during the month of November. All Lions clubs, districts, and multiple districts are encouraged work with healthcare professionals to implement diabetes awareness projects in their communities.
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Get Involved as a Lions Diabetes Awareness Chairperson in Your Club or District
Lions clubs are encouraged to appoint one member to serve as the diabetes awareness chairperson. On the district level and multiple district level, the district governor and council chairperson, respectively, appoint Lions to serve as the district and multiple district diabetes awareness chairpersons.
Club, district and multiple district chairpersons develop diabetes awareness service projects. Before implementing a project, Lions should contact local government and private diabetes foundations and assess community needs. In addition, local diabetes organizations may have ongoing projects that need additional help and support.
For Additional Information About Diabetes
- International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is a worldwide alliance of 200 diabetes associations in 158 countries, who have come together to enhance the lives of people with diabetes everywhere. Click here to locate a diabetes association in your country.
- American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. www.diabetes.org
- World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency that is responsible for international public health.
- Diabetes Education and Camping Association (DECA) serves as a worldwide voice to advance diabetes camping programs that meet the needs of individuals and families.
Diabetes Project Suggestions
- Organize a Strides Walk to promote diabetes awareness.
- Show the outstanding new film presentation, "Protect Your Vision: The Dilated Eye Exam" at Lions club meetings and community events. To purchase this DVD, submit the order form to the Health and Children's Services Department.
- Contact local healthcare professionals to organize vision and blood glucose screenings in accordance with local health laws.
- Distribute diabetes brochures at local health fairs.
- Provide funding or medical equipment to a local healthcare facility for diabetes diagnosis or treatment.
- Purchase glucose testing machines and test strips for persons with diabetes.
- Volunteer at a local diabetes clinic.
- Present a diabetes program at a Lions district or multiple district convention.
- Distribute diabetes information to physicians and eye doctors in the area.
- Support or organize a recreational and educational diabetes camping program for adults and children.
- Organize a fundraiser to support diabetes research.
- Sponsor a mobile unit for diabetes screenings.
- Implement the Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP).
Successful Lions Diabetes Projects
- The Wisconsin Lions Foundation helped to produce a DVD entitled, "Protect Your Vision: The Dilated Eye Exam" which has been circulated throughout the state to eyecare professionals. It can be viewed (English and Spanish) on the Wisconsin Lions Foundation web site. To purchase this DVD, submit the order form to the Health and Children's Services Department.
- The Webster Groves Lions Club in District 26-G (USA) teamed up with medical parofessionals to host a diabetes awareness event that included free diabetes screening and diabetes education for the public.
- The Tbilisi Georgian Lions Club in the Republic of Georgia collaborated with District 26-C Missouri (USA) to establish a recreational camp for children who have diabetes.
- The Lions of District 5M-6 (Minnesota, USA) established a US$30,000 Diabetes Fund. This fund enables the Lions to provide financial assistance to uninsured persons who have diabetes.
- The Minsk Central Lions Club (Belarus) developed a long-term, in-depth diabetes education project "Children School: Life with Diabetes." The club supports a summer camp for children with diabetes.
For additional information regarding the Diabetes Awareness Program, contact: Health and Children's Services Department. |
