November is Diabetes Awareness Month in Bermuda.

And the Lions and Lioness Clubs of Bermuda, in partnership with the Bermuda Diabetes Association, are about to embark on a programme of diabetes awareness screenings to draw attention to a disease that strikes one in eight people on this Island.

Jim Leitch, Zone Chairman for Bermuda Lions, outlined activities undertaken by the local clubs on the diabetes front before congratulating Lion Ivan Smith on being awarded the Queen's Certificate and the Badge of Honour.

Mr. Leitch hoped his fellow Lions stayed up on Tuesday night to watch the Bermuda Health Alliance Heroes for Health Telethon in which a collaboration of five health charities came together to promote a more healthy Bermuda.

The effort raised over $60,000 and increased awareness in a number of health areas.

Speaking at the club's weekly lunch meeting, Mr. Leitch said: "I am delighted to report that we, as Lions and Lioness will be playing our part.

"We have, for some time, been involved in diabetes awareness, particularly because of its detrimental effect on eyesight, one of the central concerns of the Lions.'' He recalled the visit of Debbie Jones of the Diabetes Association who told them that in a recent study, approximately 8,000 people in Bermuda, representing 12 percent of the population or one person in eight had type two diabetes.

Mr. Leitch said: "To me this seems unacceptably high, particularly when you consider that type two diabetes is largely preventable.

"Consequently, the Lions and Lioness Clubs of Bermuda, in partnership with the Bermuda Diabetes Association, are about to embark on a programme of diabetes awareness screenings during October and November, the latter being Diabetes Awareness month.'' All Lions and Lioness have been invited to participate in screening which will involve testing blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.

"How can we expect others to be tested if we are not prepared to be tested ourselves?'' said Mr. Leitch.

And he thanked members of St. John's Ambulance Service, who were present at the lunch, for the use of their premises for the screening.

Mr. Leitch hoped to sign up a number of businesses to participate in the screenings, and hoped to increase the public's awareness about Diabetes.

In closing, Mr. Leitch thanked all those involved in organising Lions continuing community service projects and said: "We willingly give our time to these projects safe in the knowledge that they benefit those in need in the community, and I know we shall continue to do so.'' Fighting diabetes: Jim Leitch, Zone Chairman for Lions in Bermuda appealed to Lions for help in raising awareness of diabetes, a disease affecting one in eight Bermudians.

HEALTH HTH