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Wisconsin Lions Foundation 3834 County Road A Rosholt, WI 54473
(715) 677 - 4969 (877) 463 - 6953 Toll Free (715) 677 - 4527 Fax
Email: wlf@wlf.info |
Community Diabetes Education Project In 1999, WLF, with a $100,000 grant from LCIF, undertook development of a major new initiative: a community-based diabetes education project for patients, health professionals, and the public. To date, this effort has been focused in every Lionistic District, and we have learned a great deal.
The Wisconsin Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, through its Diabetes Advisory Group (50 + health care experts), has published the second edition of its “Essential Diabetes Care Guidelines” for health professionals. Please click on their name for more details. Lions and Diabetes Diabetes awareness was adopted as a long-term commitment of Lions International in March 1984. The primary objective of the Lions project is to reduce the number of new cases of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy (a common complication of uncontrolled diabetes) through diabetes education, early detection and treatment, and support of research. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people aged 20-74. Other diabetes complications include much higher incidences of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, kidney problems, nerve damage, and amputations. Diabetes in Wisconsin Six and one-half percent of Wisconsinites (330,000+) now have diabetes, and the incidence is growing at an epidemic rate. It is estimated that an equal number have diabetes, but have not yet been diagnosed. The direct and indirect cost of diabetes in Wisconsin is counted in billions of dollars. Much can be done—through building awareness and education (public, patients with diabetes, families of those with diabetes, and health professionals)—to encourage early detection, improve control of diabetes and reduce the potential complications for those with diabetes. And Wisconsin Lions can make a significant and important contribution. What Your Club Can Do to Help Your Wisconsin Lions Foundation Program Associate is being asked to serve as the initial focal point for encouraging your Club’s support of the WLF Community Diabetes Education Project. Diabetes is a major focus of Lions International’s Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP), also known as SightFirst. If your Club does not already have a LEHP or SightFirst Chair, perhaps you could consider establishing a Diabetes Chair. Chances are great that every Lions and Lioness Club in Wisconsin has one or more members with diabetes who would be interested in serving. One key to developing an active local community diabetes effort is teamwork between a Diabetes Project Leader and your Publicity Chair ... and, of course, the support of other members when a project is in process. Club participation will raise your community’s awareness of the newsworthy and important issues surrounding diabetes. It will also bring your Club’s good works to the attention of the community (as well as to prospective new members). The time commitment required to develop worthy (and newsworthy) diabetes-related projects is not great. WLF has developed easy-to-follow Club Community Diabetes Manual and materials for several model projects. These include (at no cost) press releases for community newspapers, public service announcements, handout brochures, and more. All can easily be ordered by phone, fax, e-mail or mail. Contact WLF at 877-463-6953. Club Community Diabetes Awareness Manual Awards 2007-2008 Banner Patch for Community Diabetes Awareness Sample Projects to Consider
Watch the Diabetic Retinopathy DVD Diabetic Retinopathy DVD Order Form Watch the Dilated Eye DVD English Espanol |
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