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.
A continuing goal has always been to find a way to expand the project to serve many more communities. That mechanism has now been established and an ambitious expanded Community Diabetes Education Project has been developed.
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.
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.
Chronic Kidney Disease: You Don't Know the Half of It!
Join us to talk about chronic kidney disease and witness the premiere of the DVD “The Links To Chronic Kidney Disease: Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Family History”
July 20 - Madison, WI 6:00 - 8:00 pm Sheraton Madison Hotel 706 John Nolen Drive Event Flyer
July 27 - Milwaukee, WI Radisson Hotel Milwaukee West 2303 N Mayfair Rd, Wauwatosa Event Flyer
August 17 - La Crosse, WI Stoney Creek Inn & Conference Center 3060 S Kinney Coulee Road, Onalaska Event Flyer
The Wisconsin Lions Foundation, Wisconsin Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, and other significant partners are pleased to provide three educational DVDs. Each of the DVDs can be ordered FREE of charge.
“The Links To Chronic Kidney Disease: Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Family History” - The DVD discusses chronic kidney disease prevention, causes and treatment, and the importance of early detection. Its target audience is people, with or at risk of, diabetes and high blood pressure – the two major causes of chronic kidney disease.
Thank you for viewing the DVD titled “The Links to Chronic Kidney Disease: Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Family History.” Your opinions about the DVD are very important to us.
Please take a moment to complete a short electronic survey about the DVD. Your answers to these questions will help us determine if you found the DVD helpful and if you have taken additional steps to control your diabetes, high blood pressure or CKD as a result of viewing the DVD. This information is completely anonymous.
Click on the following link to view the survey: Click for Survey Thank you!
DVD sponsors: Wisconsin Lions Foundation National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Gracias por ver el DVD titulado “Las conecciones a la enfermedad de riñones: Diabetes, la Presión arterial alta, y Historia de Familia.” Sus opiniones acerca del DVD nos importan muchísimo.
Por favor tome un momento para completar una encuesta electrónica breve acerca del DVD. Sus respuestas a estas preguntas nos ayudarán a determinar si usted encontró el DVD útil y si usted ha tomado acciones adicionales para controlar su diabetes, su presión arterial alta o su enfermedad cronica de los riñones por ver el DVD. Esta información es completamente anónima.
Los patrocinadores del DVD: La Fundación de Leones de Wisconsin La fundación Nacional de Riñones de Wisconsin El Programa de Prevención y Control del Departamento de Servicios de Salud del Estado de Wisconsin
“Diabetic Retinopathy – A Potential Consequence of Uncontrolled Diabetes” The Wisconsin Lions Foundation partnered with an Ophthalmologist, Brian T. Perkovich, MD, and WFRV-TV from Green Bay to produce this wonderful DVD. This DVD was initiated and coordinated by Lion Len Schmeichel, MD27-B2. The Wisconsin Lions Foundation partnered with the Wisconsin Diabetes Prevention and Control Program to produce 1,000 copies of the DVD. The video below is a patient/doctor discussion of three questions - "What is diabetic retinopathy?"; "Are there any symptoms that precede retinopathy?"; and "What can I do to take care of diabetic retinopathy?"
There are two other sections available on the DVD that are intending for viewing by people looking for a more in-depth or technical presentation about diabetic retinopathy. The sections feature a lecture from the Ophthalmologist. The twenty-one minute section is a condensed version of the thirty-five minute technical program.
“Protect Your Vision: The Dilated Eye Exam”- This DVD stresses the importance of an annual dilated eye exam and encourages people with diabetes to take charge of their health care needs and get a dilated eye exam each year.
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.
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.
In 2009, 80 clubs order 34,000 brochures from the Wisconsin Lions Foundation to distribute in their communities for Diabetes Alert Day. The Wisconsin Lions Foundation receives the brochures FREE from our partners the American Diabetes Association, Wisconsin Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, and the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin.
March 23, 2010 is Diabetes Alert Day, if you would like to participate click the links below.
Because of its public health significance diabetes is a hot topic, especially for editors of community newspapers. You can provide news release information, obtained from the State, that many editors will want to use, and associate it with your Club. Also, community newspapers often look for “fillers” to plug empty spots in an edition; you’ll have diabetes public service announcements to offer.
Community Diabetes Education
You can draw attention to diabetes in several ways in your community. Participating in health fairs and setting up information tables at shopping areas and at community events are examples. You’ll have educational literature to pass out provided by the State and the American Diabetes Association, including a diabetes risk self-assessment questionnaire.
Support Medical Professionals
You can help medical professional groups, e.g., hospitals and clinics, which wish to provide a Community Diabetes Screening Program by providing assistance and promotion.
Lions/Lioness Club Award
2009-2010 Banner Patch for Community Diabetes Awareness
