The Lions Club of District 11-B1 and CareWell Services Southwest are partnering to provide diabetes testing supplies and education to seniors in Calhoun and Barry counties just in time for World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2019.
The Lions Club is donating over $5,000 in supplies to CareWell Services, including an A1C test kit for the CareWell Kiosk, as well as glucometers and test strips to be distributed throughout the community. The organizations will also partner to provide trainings and other educational events to help seniors understand how to better care for themselves if they have diabetes.
“The generous support of the Lions club will help CareWell to provide diabetic education and testing supplies to those in need. This collaboration is a wonderful example of community partners working together to serve others,” said Paulette Porter, Program Manager for Special Initiatives at CareWell Services. “The generous support from the Lions will assist the CareWell Kiosk in its outreach efforts among older adults throughout Calhoun and Barry counties.”
The funds donated were part of a larger grant from the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF), which distributed $250,000 to local clubs throughout the nation to create diabetes programing and educational events, build awareness, and provide supplies to those who need them. This effort supports the main goal of the Lions Club to prevent blindness and help the blind, since diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the US.
“Nearly a quarter of diabetics in America don’t know they are diabetic. LCIF has provided this grant to identify diabetics and provide preventative and nutritional education, as well as help under- and uninsured diabetics receive supplies they need,” said Dave Hill, District Grant Administrator for District 11-B1.
More information regarding supply distribution and educational events will be released by CareWell Services in the near future.
