Diabetes Awareness Programs

There are many ways in which you can support diabetes awareness.

Promote Diabetes Awareness in Your Community

Get Involved as a Lions Diabetes Awareness Chairperson

Promote Diabetes Awareness in Your Community

Here are some ways you can promote diabetes awareness and action:

	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.
	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 and action projects in their communities.
	Diabetes Education and Camping Association (DECA) serves as a worldwide voice to advance diabetes camping programs that meet the needs of individuals and families. In keeping with its mission, LCI is actively involved in supporting diabetes education initiatives worldwide, including diabetes camps. To enhance and expand programs that meet the needs of those living with diabetes, LCI and DECA have formed a partnership to promote diabetes education programs and diabetes camping worldwide. Lions, would you like more information about getting involved with diabetes camping programs for children or improving your existing Lions camp? On the DECA Web site you will find a "Lions Club" section containing a helpful array of free resources aimed at best practices for improving camp programs, healthcare or administration. Simply visit the DECA Web site and register. All Lions must use this password when registering: DECALIONS (The password must be entered in ALL CAPS.)
	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.
	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.

Get Involved as a Lions Diabetes Awareness and Action Chairperson in Your Club, District or Multiple District

Your club, district and multiple district is encouraged to appoint one member to serve as the diabetes awareness and action 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 and action chairpersons.

Club, district and multiple district chairpersons develop diabetes awareness and action service projects. Before implementing diabetes awareness programs, 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.

Diabetes Project Ideas

Organize a Strides Walk to promote diabetes awareness.
Show the outstanding film presentation, "Protect Your Vision: The Dilated Eye Exam" at Lions club meetings and community events. 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.
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.

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.
The Webster Groves Lions Club in District 26-G (USA) teamed up with medical professionals 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 and Action Program, contact: Health and Children's Services Department.

Lions and Diabetes Awareness