Lions Del Neumeister and Brian Kline teamed up last night (11/10/17) to present a powerful program on the alarming growth of diabetes in this country – and around the world. It was a small but engaged group of Lions that gathered to hear the presentation during our regular Lion's meeting at Grap's in Belle Fourche.
The impact on the disease is staggering: 422 million people around the world have diabetes, and it's estimated that by the year 2040, that figure will climb to 642 million. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in women. Every seven seconds, a person dies from diabetes. It's astounding to realize that half the people with the disease don't even know they have it.
The program gave Belle Fourche Lions a head start on the "Worldwide Week of Service on Diabetes" (November 13-19) initiated by Lions, International, which is urging Lions Clubs such as ours to support those affected by diabetes in our local communities. Worldwide, Lions hopes to serve as many as 200 million people per year by 2021.
Awareness comes first, and Lions Del and Brian helped us take the first step in understanding just how pervasive and threatening diabetes is.
Each member talked about how diabetes has touched him or her. Some of our members have the disease. Others are borderline. The disease has claimed the lives relatives and friends – and the projections are sobering, especially in a society where obesity is running rampant and diabetes is not far behind. We CAN do something in Belle Fourche.
Members discussed a variety of possible awareness programs (this program being a start!) We discussed way that Lions could help expand screening and testing for the disease.
"Some very good ideas came forth," according to Lion Neumeister. Your ideas are needed, too!
We trust all Belle Fourche Lions – even those who are inactive – will join us in this effort to raise awareness, and to seek prevention, detection, and control of this disease.
We serve!
Please take the time to explore online information from Lions, International about diabetes!
Visit: Lions Assault on Diabetes