District Cabinet Meeting - Sunday, August 4, 2024
Diabetes Committee Report

The summer is flying by! I'd like to start of the Lion year saying thank you for the support for this committee and spreading the word of diabetes awareness within our communities.

The diabetes committee has not officially met yet this year but there are several things coming up in the diabetes arena (going with the Olympics Paris 2024 theme).

If any of these topics interest anyone and you would like to have me or someone from the committee come and speak at a meeting please reach out so we can try to make that happen.

Diabetes Advocacy
As a Lion and community member, I have been invited by the American Diabetes Association, to establish meetings with federal congressional staff during the August recess. I have already met with staff from Sen. Ron Johnson's office (last week) and have a Zoom call set up with Rep. Pocan's health care staff/aide on Thursday, August 15 th . There are specific congressional asks, in which we are hoping to garner support for specific upcoming bills for insulin affordability and obesity as well as continued research funding. I have not been able to connect with Sen. Baldwin's office, but I will continue to try.

Lions Camp-Youth with Diabetes
Committee chair Lion Jill worked on staff at WI Lions Camp for the 7 th year, mentoring 11-12 year old girls with Type 1 diabetes. A few girls were first year campers, with only one still giving injections of insulin rather than using a pump, but all 7 girls were using Continuous Glucose Monitoring technology. I was thrilled to see the upgrades at camp including the new sports court and pavilions for shade at boating and swimming areas. I tried some new activities and had the tearful pleasure of seeing one of my very first campers graduate. As medical staff at camp, we are with our cabins from around 7 am until 10 pm, including all meals and activities.

Diabetes Screening
Madison Lions clubs are partnering again with HyVee to offer diabetes screenings this year. Dates and specifics are being worked out, and the clubs will be requesting our cabinet support for $1500 to increase the amount of tests that can be provided. Trollway Diabetes will also be donating in order to hopefully get more people screened for diabetes/prediabetes.

Trollway Diabetes Inc
Now an MDPP recognized provider of CDC's Diabetes Prevention Program, which means the program is covered once per lifetime for Medicare B recipients with a blood test within the past 12 months identifying prediabetes. Also now covered by Quartz insurance as well. Will continue to reach out to the district as needed for financial support for attendees who are not covered by insurance, at a continued rate of $200 per person. I am going to be having some discovery sessions (Session Zero) to talk about the program and how to enroll. These will be via Zoom on a Monday and Wednesday in August, with a virtual cohort starting in September. For those that have been on the cabinet for a while, you have heard me talk about this very impactful program and I am going to continue to request support for this from our clubs because of the potential impact it can have. I will be sending out some email blasts coming up to club presidents/secretaries. Anyone can attend these sessions, and I actually encourage someone from each club diabetes committee attend a session so they know what it is about.

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