KLEF is pleased to announce that the Bluegrass Lions Diabetes Project (BLDP) was awarded 1 of only 15 Diabetes Grants from the Lions Clubs international Foundation (LCIF) at the May meeting of their Board of Directors. LCIF represents about 1.5 million Lions in around 46,000 Lions Clubs in over 200 countries.
The LCIF Diabetes Goal is two-fold:
1.Reduce the prevalence of diabetes and,
2.Increase the quality of life for those diagnosed.
Kentucky has been experiencing an epidemic of diabetes for many years, especially in Eastern Kentucky. Studies indicate that 1 out of 8 Kentucky adults have diagnosed diabetes. Additionally, it is estimated that 1 out of 10 Kentucky adults has diagnosed pre-diabetes. Of the 1.1 million Kentuckians with pre-diabetes (diagnosed and undiagnosed) 7 out of 10 do not know it due to lack of testing and diagnosis.
Total medical costs and lost work and wages for people with diagnosed diabetes is estimated at $5.26 BILLION. Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, loss of toes/feet/legs and is the leading cause of blindness.
The Bluegrass Lions Diabetes Project (BLDP) intend to address the LCIF goals and to fight the Kentucky Diabetes Epidemic by:
1.Performing at-risk assessments, A1C screenings and Retinal Imaging on, initially, 3,000 Kentuckians and then,
2.Assist identified participants to get the help they need from a medical provider, a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) or a Diabetes Self-Management, Education and Support program.
The BLDP Diabetes Grant is provided to the Kentucky Lions District 43Y which is basically everything East of Interstate 65. The goal is to initially focus on Fayette and surrounding counties then spread out through Central, Northern and Eastern Kentucky.
To accomplish the grant project goals, BLDP leadership needs your help with:
1.Identify potential Screening Events
a.Health fairs; churches; neighborhood associations; senior centers; any place where people gather. These can be of any size.
2.Develop a pool of volunteers to be trained to perform the necessary duties at the Screening Events
For screening event recommendations or to sign up to volunteer with this project please contact Lion Pat Ryan, the Manager of the Bluegrass Lions Diabetes Project. Email him at Pat.bldp@gmail.com or call him at 859.221.1041.
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a.Intake/Registration, At-Risk Assessment, A1C screening, and Retinal Imaging.