A MESSAGE FROM LION DON GIBALA, CHAIRPERSON OF DISTRICT 14N DIABETES COMMITTEE
Diabetes Awareness – From Contemplation to Action
Once again, November has come upon us, and it is time for me to throw out the challenge to all District 14-N clubs.I ask you to take the initiative of creating greater awareness about diabetes in your community to a higher level, to move your club’s initiatives from the thoughts of individuals to plans and actions of many.Move those thoughts and plans from the traditional state of contemplation to the higher level state of action.If diabetes awareness presently rests on a back burner, bring it forward on your club’s list of priorities, especially in light of November – National Diabetes Awareness month.
With all of our busy schedules, it is understandable how our priorities continually shift from day to day.Whether your club’s diabetes awareness committee is very active, inactive or even non-existent, there is always time to re-evaluate direction.I ask you to consider holding a group meeting to outline your agenda on how your club can best deliver the “goods.”How can your club best deliver that relational message of diabetes to eye disease to the roles Lions can play in your community?What can you do as a Lions club to deliver this very important prevention message to your community?How will you push diabetes awareness forward on your club’s never-ending list of priorities, and make an impact of service to needy persons within your reach?November is the time to broaden the scope of our diabetes knowledge base and offer a call to action.
I have pulled together a number of links that may be helpful to your club if, hopefully when, you rise to the challenge.
These are only a few of the many websites available to obtain information on diabetes.I’d recommend starting with the Lions Clubs International website, find “our-work/diabetes-programs” and scan the information and website links that meet your needs.
As always, if I can assist your club in any way, contact me and I’ll be happy to help.
The World Health Organization estimates that 246 million people worldwide have diabetes, a global epidemic that is expected to affect 380 million by 2025.
Diabetes and Sight Loss
People with diabetes are at risk of losing sight due to diabetic retinopathy. Approximately two percent of all people who have had diabetes for 15 years become blind, while about 10 percent develop a severe visual impairment. There are risk factors around diabetes and eyesight. For instance, evidence indicates high blood pressure and smoking may worsen diabetic eye disease.
Lions and Diabetes Awareness
With these statistics and concerns in mind, Lions adopted diabetes awareness as a long-term commitment. Our work supports diabetes education, treatment, research and early detection. A screening test can detect diabetes. Lions clubs often arrange for free diabetes screenings in their communities.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC OF BUTLER COUNTY'S WEB PAGE.
(Please click on above logo for expanded information on the Community Health Clinic of Butler County)
Mission: To provide high quality healthcare to our uninsured and income-eligible neighbors in Butler County.
Vision: That all Butler County residents shall have access to primary medical care.
The clinic is a non-profit, community-based volunteer corporation; who's mission is "To provide high quality healthcare to uninsured and income-eligible neighbors in Butler County." Our Needs Assessment documented at least 11,000 people in Butler County who need such care. They are hardworking people, struggling to support themselves and their families, often working two jobs. They earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but have no health benefits and cannot afford private insurance.
LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL'S INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC OF BUTLER COUNTY.
From the Left Lions Don Gibala, Butler; Ted Cramer, Cranberry; and Diana White, Zelienople; present a Lions plaque to Community Health Clinic Executive Director, Bruce Lazar, third from left. (Photo by Lion Dean Jones)
Local Lions Clubs Help Establish a “Lion’s Den”.
Members of three local Lions Clubs, Butler, CranberryTownship, and Zelienople recently presented a plaque to the Community Health Clinic of Butler County.The plaque recognizes the efforts of Lions in establishing a “ Lion’s Den” room dedicated to diabetes care.Initially these clubs committed over seven thousand dollars that provided the seed money needed to apply for a grant from the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Butler Lion, Don Gibala, prepared and guided the application through District 14N, the Pennsylvania Lions Cabinet, and the Lions Club International Foundation.The application was approved and provided an additional 75,000 dollars to assist in the establishment of a diabetes program at the Clinic.
The Lions are the largest service organization in the world and were founded with the challenge of becoming the Knights of the Blind.Over their history blindness and vision impairments have been two of their major charities.Their blindness prevention efforts reach over the entire world and have had significant success in developing countries.The Lions interest in diabetes stems from the vision problems related to this disease.A study done in 2005 revealed that over twenty five per cent of ButlerCounty residents have diabetes.It is hoped that the Clinic, which will open after the first of the year, will be able to detect, evaluate, and treat diabetes patients and reduce their possibility of serious vision problems.For information about the Clinic, whose mission is to provide health services to uninsured and under insured individuals living in ButlerCounty call 724 841 0980.
Submitted by Butler Lions Club secretary Dean Jones.
