HEALTH - Lions Clubs Australia

Lions Lap the Map for Diabetes 7 Times for World Diabetes Day

December 6, 2023/in HEALTH, NEWS, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

Lions across the country were on a mission to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve the quality of life for those diagnosed this World Diabetes Day.

Lions invited members of the public to join them in putting on their walking shoes with the aim to travel a combined distance that exceeded Australia’s circumference (25,760 km) by the 14th of November.

Lions Lap the Map for Diabetes - Lions Club of Bungendore and Districts

The Lions Club of Bungendore and Districts were joined by members of the RFS at their Lap the Map event. Image: Rob Lane

With that target being easily met early on by hard walking volunteers, Lions were quick to double their goal and lap the map twice.

By November 14, Lions had not only lapped the map twice, but reported a combined distance of more than 190,000 km – over 7 times the distance of Australia’s circumference!

Lions Lap the Map for Diabetes - Lyn Perera and Pat Mills

V5 District Governor Lyn Perera with National Diabetes Coordinator Pat Mills. Image: Brian Perera

National Diabetes Coordinator Pat Mills says Diabetes is a key focus for Lions and they would do what they can to help reduce the impact of the disease in their communities.

“Diabetes is a serious health issue affecting so many across Australia,” says Pat.

The Lions Club of Dalby had a huge turn out for their Lap the Map event.

“Across Australia, 1.3 million people have been diagnosed with Diabetes and 283 people are diagnosed every day. The disease can lead to serious health issues affecting the heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves and teeth.”

“In most high-income countries, Diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation. It’s expected to affect 629 million adults by 2045.”

Members of the Valentine Lions Club at their Lap the Map event.

“Our Lions Lap the Map family friendly walks and campaigns in the community encourage people to get outside and have a walk to promote healthy lifestyle and raise awareness of the Diabetes epidemic in Australia.”

Congratulations to Pat and all other Clubs and volunteers who took part in Lions Lap the Map for Diabetes this year – a superb result for 2023!

You can see all the photos from participating Clubs on Facebook here.

P.S. Did we mention how on point the Lions branding looked at your Lap the Map events this year?

Click here to shop apparel, signage and other PR materials from our online shop ready for your next event in the new year now!

Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation

One step closer to Zero Childhood Cancer thanks to Lions

February 15, 2023/in HEALTH, OUR STORIES, RESEARCH & INNOVATION /by Jemma

We are one step closer to Zero Cancer thanks to Lions!

Any Australian child diagnosed with cancer will now be able to benefit from life changing DNA sequencing.

This follows the successful $4million Lions project with Australia’s Garvan Institute which mapped the genome of over 400 Children with cancer, to advance research and to guide personalised treatment.

The Zero Childhood Cancer Program will expand to all Australians aged 0 to 18 years with cancer by the end of this year.

Childhood cancer advocate and Founding Chairman of the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation (ALCCRF) Dr Joe Collins AM says:

“Childhood Cancer is a silent pandemic. Every year in Australia, almost 800 kids are diagnosed with cancers, many of them aggressive, hard to treat and with a high risk of mortality. Although the survival rates have improved greatly for some cancers, others still take a heavy toll on our young peoples’ lives.”

“In 2015 Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation with Australia’s Garvan Institute mapped out a plan to map the genome of over 400 Children with cancer and provide personalised treatment. The program exceeded expectations, saving and changing the lives of young Australians.”

“The Zero Childhood Cancer precision medicine program expanding to include all young Australians is an exciting step in eliminating childhood cancer.”

Over the past decade, the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation, with the help of our Lions volunteers and their communities, has raised over $12 million to fund vital research into Childhood Cancer.

“Lions volunteers across Australia are so proud that the successful $4million Lions project ‘Zero Childhood Cancer’ Program will expand to all Australian’s aged 0 to 18 years with cancer, by the end of this year,” says Lions Australia CEO Rob Oerlemans.

“A big thank you to our Lions volunteers for your vision, commitment and financial wizardry! So many children and families have a better outcome because of you!”

For more information on the Zero Childhood Cancer precision medicine program expanding to include all young Australians with cancer, click here.

Lions Eye Health Program’s big year

January 13, 2023/in HEALTH, OUR STORIES /by Emily Williams

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Despite coming up against Covid-19, floods, and bushfires, 2022 has gone down as another huge year for the Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP).

Over the past twelve months, the 463 qualified Lions screened the eyes of 5,309 children across the country for vision impairment.

Of these, 1,172 were referred to an optometrist for a follow-up.

Image: LEHP

With one in five children having an undetected vision problem, the 132 vision screening sessions held in 2022 are invaluable to LEHP’s goal – to combat avoidable blindness.

After the program’s success in the US in the 90s, LEHP was launched in Australia in 2000 as a pilot project. Now a Category B project, more than 60% of Australian Lions Clubs have helped promote the program.

Last year, vision screenings were conducted in all Districts, with Q2 screening 2000 children.

The management team at Lions Eye Health Program are anticipating 2023 to be bigger and better!

You can learn more about the program here.

Echuca Lions Club donate to local cancer centre

December 16, 2022/in DONATIONS, HEALTH, OUR STORIES /by Emily Williams

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Echuca Lions Club has donated $20,000 to a new Cancer and Wellness Centre for the Victorian town.

The $8.3 million centre will deliver a new chemotherapy and haemodialysis unit to the area, as well as provide wellness programs to help improve the health and well-being of cancer patients.

With several members of Echuca Lions Club having been touched by cancer themselves, this project was particularly close to their hearts.

“It means something to all of us,” said Lion Laurie Stewart.

“I had pancreatic cancer, John had prostate cancer, and Graeme had bladder cancer.”

Half the money was raised at the Club’s annual golf day in March, and the Australian Lions Foundation (ALF) provided the rest through a matching grant.

Lion John Hewlett says the Club is grateful for the community getting behind the cause.

“We know it’s been a difficult time for a lot of local businesses after all the lockdowns, so we really appreciate the support,” he said.

Work on Echuca Cancer and Wellness Centre began in August 2021 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Original Story from the Riverine Herald, here.

Lions Foundation doing a bloody good job

December 15, 2022/in DONATIONS, HEALTH, OUR STORIES, RESEARCH & INNOVATION /by Emily Williams

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Over the next two years, The Lions Cord Blood Foundation will provide Monash Children’s Hospital in Victoria with $50,000 for neo-natal cell therapy research.

Announced in August, the grant will go towards improving outcomes for vulnerable babies by utilising the “reparative, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative potential of cell therapies”.

Cord blood is the blood that is found in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born. As a rich and diverse source of stem cells, this blood can be used for children and adults requiring bone marrow transplants.

The Lions Cord Blood Foundation was established in 1996 by Laurie Denton, a member of the Lions Club of Waverly in V5 and has raised more than $2.3 million for the Fight Cancer Foundation.

Ron Tregear, Chairman (3rd from left) & Pat Mills, Association Secretary (4th from left), Lions Cord Blood Foundation along with members of Newborn Cell Therapies group

Chairperson of the Foundation, Ron Tregear, says this research is “particularly rewarding”.

“It will involve bringing extremely premature babies into the world potentially in better health than they may have otherwise been,” he said.

Associate Professor Atul Mahlotra says he is grateful to the Foundation.

“This will directly feed into our cell therapies clinical trial pipeline including one study currently recruiting extremely preterm babies to investigate feasibility and safety of autologous cord blood cell therapy,” he said.

In Australia, cord blood has been used to treat over 80 conditions, including cancers, blood disorders, immune disorders and metabolic disorders.

You can learn more about The Lions Cord Blood Foundation here.

Australia’s largest service organisation is on a mission to reduce prevalence of Diabetes

December 13, 2022/in HEALTH, NEWS /by admin

To mark World Diabetes Day this year, Lions Clubs across Australia were on a mission to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve the quality of life for those diagnosed with their annual Lap the Map for Diabetes event.

Diabetes is one of the Lions’ key global focus areas with Lions members encouraging those in their community to stay active.

Lions volunteers across the country put on their walking shoes with the aim to have a combined distance travelled that exceeds Australia’s circumference (25,760 kms) by World Diabetes Day.

This year, Lions not only lapped the map once, but reported a combined distance of 261,704 kms, over 10 times the distance of Australia’s circumference.

Maroochy North Shore Lions host their Lap the Map for Diabetes event.

National Diabetes Coordinator Pat Mills says this is an incredible result for Diabetes awareness.

“The ‘Lions Lap the Map’ family friendly walks and campaigns in the community encourage people to get outside and have a walk to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness of the Diabetes epidemic in Australia.”

“Across Australia 1.3 million people have been diagnosed with Diabetes and 283 people are diagnosed every day,” says Pat.

“The disease can lead to serious health issues affecting the heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves and teeth. In most high-income countries, Diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation. It’s expected to affect 629 million adults by 2045.”

“With more people working from home and more communities living with tighter social restrictions since COVID-19, it’s more important than ever for Australians to stay active and healthy so we encourage people to get involved in our Lap the Map activities,” she adds.

See all the photos from Lap the Map for Diabetes 2022 on Facebook here.

Skin Cancer Van at Bunnings, South Vermont

Lions Mobile Skin Cancer Van Stops in at Vermont South Bunnings

July 29, 2022/in HEALTH, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

The Lions V Districts Cancer Foundation makes a real and lasting difference in people’s lives with their mobile skin cancer check vans.

On July 22^nd and 23^rd their mobile van was in Bunnings carpark at Vermont South, Victoria. Lions Club of Waverley President Eamonn Cooke writes:

This project had Lions Club of Waverley as the main club organiser, and we were assisted by Lions Club of South Vermont. People attended on Friday 22^nd and Saturday 23^rd July to be screened for skin cancer. Around 110 people attended, many of whom – including myself – were being screened for the first time. Both Lions groups donated the net proceeds from their BBQs on Friday and Saturday to this project. Our club’s donation was $1 500. We also funded most of the skin cancer team’s meals and their hotel accommodation.

Back in January 2022, the idea for this project was communicated to our club. Over the next few months, we established a team from both Waverley and South Vermont to drive the event. We are appreciative of the assistance we received from Bunnings Activity Officer, Marie. She was an important cog in this project; donating her time to attend meetings, and answering my phone calls and many emails.

During the lead up to the event, I was constantly in contact with Wendy Hellebrand (OAM) Skin Check Roster/Volunteer Screeners Coordinator. Her knowledge and support were amazing and it meant so much to have her help.

Lion Bob set up an electronic spreadsheet with a dedicated email address to record the bookings. He also produced the event running sheet, which was a key document that scheduled action items for the team to be aware of. As the time got closer, I met up with Lions Dave Underhay and John Watson. These two Lions were key to the unit getting to the Vermont South location and kept safely stored overnight. Thank you both for your contribution and effort in making it all look so easy!

When I saw the unit and the length of it, I was awe struck. It’s amazing. Vermont Bunnings were generous by facilitating the unit to be located on their ‘prime real-estate’ at the front of the store beside the BBQ setup.

Show time was 6am Friday 22^nd and it was zero degrees. Shivering Lions Bill, Tony, Bob and driver John were assembling the unit for the day. My left foot had frost bite. This was fabulous teamwork setting everything up. Again, on Saturday 23^rd DG Graham and Lions David, Bob and driver John were hard at work. I managed to drop a heavy witches hat on the DG’s foot!

On Friday morning, Wendy and her team Susan, Bob, Iggy, and Anthony arrived and got down to business. Their whole approach to examining people was so professional and non-intrusive, although standing there in my undies was interesting! A massive thanks must go out to the team.

On each day we had our ‘triage team’ from both clubs booking in the clients. Bob had electronically recorded each person and the attendance was fine.

Meanwhile, our Lions BBQ mob were hard at work drumming up business. Both Waverley and South Vermont teams helped the day earning funds to assist the Skin Cancer Unit.

Lastly, a great big thank you to Lion Monica from the Lions Club of Waverley for baking a fabulous fruit cake for the skin cancer team, delicious was the consensus!

Click here to find out more about how the Lions V Districts Cancer Foundation is saving lives.

Lions Free Skin Checks Make a Difference

July 8, 2022/in HEALTH, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

The Lions V Districts Cancer Foundation mobile skin check van stopped in at the seaside town of Torquay, southwest of Melbourne, offering free skin check services to those with limited access to specialist skin care professionals.

Torquay Lions Club President, Colin Bellis, is delighted that many local residents took up the opportunity for a free skin check over two days.

“When I visited the Lions Skin Check and Awareness Mobile Unit on its first day of operation in Torquay, a number of people had already been advised to make a potentially life-saving appointment with their GP by having a thorough follow up,” he stated.

Since the Unit has been in operation in various towns in regional Victoria, 3,489 checks have been done and from those checks 1,483 referrals to GPs have been necessary.

Torquay Lions Club President Colin Bellis, Friend of Lions Gail Roche, check in Rod Joyce from Anglesea, and Lorraine Large from Jan Juc for free skin checks at the Lions Skin Check and Awareness Mobile Unit.

“We all need to be concerned about skin cancer, and anyone showing signs of skin changes should have them checked by health professionals.

“Our Lions Mobile Unit is hard-pressed to meet the need in regional Victoria, but we are aiming to bring the mobile unit back to Torquay as soon as we are able,” Lion Colin said.

The van was at Wurdi Baierr Stadium, Torquay on Friday, July 1st and Saturday, July 2nd.

Locals who had made appointments were checked by trained and certificated volunteers.

The Lions team pointed out that many people told them it was a wonderful initiative of Lions.

Colin Large from Jan Juc chats with Torquay Lions Club President Colin Bellis, while waiting for his free skin check.

“It’s been great to provide people with valuable and timely data about skin care and self-checking techniques. Just having the Unit here in Torquay has helped raise the community’s awareness,” Lion Colin said.

“It is well-known Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

“Lions Clubs in Victoria and Southern NSW are working hard to reduce that level and its impact on families, but every one of the Surf Coast needs to take action”, Lion Colin concluded.

Interested in getting involved where it matters?

Click here to find out how you can help the Lions V Districts Cancer Foundation make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives.

How Lions Uses Music To Aid The Young

March 10, 2022/in HEALTH, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

Music can soothe a troubled mind. Tony Fawcett meets the mastermind behind an award-winning youth program exploiting the power of music.

Whether Queen’s thumping ‘We Are The Champions’ or ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ by artists too numerous to mention, music is a powerful mood influencer.

‘Walking On Sunshine’ can put a spring in our step and Adele’s anthem to lost love, “Someone Like You’, can make some of us cry.

Few recognise that power of music more than Lynsey McLeod, project officer and consultant to the Australian Lions Wellbeing Foundation, until last year known as the Australian Lions Drug Awareness Foundation.

Lynsey McLeod, project officer and consultant to the Australian Lions Wellbeing Foundation.

For 11 years, Hobart-based Lynsey has been spearheading the organisation’s award-winning online youth health program Tune In Not Out (TINO), billed as a one-stop shop for young people 14-25 seeking information on life’s challenges – from alcohol, drugs, sex and sexual health, to school work, money, bullying and cyber safety.

Apart from sourcing videos, factsheets and stories geared to the challenges of the young, TINO (www.tuneinnotout.com) invites followers to Tune Your Mood, a section geared to helping us understand the power of music on our wellbeing.

“Most of us listen to music regardless of age, from toddlers listening to favourite rhymes to make a car journey easier, to teens selecting songs that are good to study to or adults selecting mood-boosting songs that evoke happy memories in the current day,” explains Lynsey.

The right song, she contends, can change a mood, set a new mood or help the mood feel better, activating feel-good chemicals such as endorphins and oxytocin, sometimes known as the love hormone, in our bodies.

Equally, poorly chosen music can make us feel worse. “This is where understanding and becoming aware of how music is affecting us is so important, and a powerful tool,” says Lynsey who holds a degree in public relations with a background in community services including drug education and family support,

Music can be a double-edged sword, she contends. Some songs can start off being helpful, allowing us to vent our emotions, but then they leave us in a heap.

“They might make us feel angrier and stressed, or bring back negative memories or experiences, unpleasant feelings that make us spiral instead,” she says.

“Once you recognise this, you have the power to adjust this amazing tool by using it as a prevention device, by actively choosing not to listen to certain music at certain times.

This is where TINO comes in.

It encourages young people to take care of their moods, maybe by pressing skip and selecting a new song or playlist to take their mood to a more positive space, to feel more in control of their thoughts and feelings.

Rather than dictating, TINO shares playlists, compiled by young people themselves, of mood-boosting songs proven to lift the spirits, to relax and comfort, relieving listeners of stress and anxiety.

While some suggested songs might seem irrelevant, Lynsey says it’s all about music preference. What works for one person and is quite personal to them might not work for another.

She suggests we all learn to recognise how songs make us feel, play around with our music choices and even make our own playlists. “You might find a new style of music that is really positive for you.”

With two teenage children herself, a daughter 16 and a son 13, she is well placed to observe the positive effect music can have on the young.

So what is her own favourite mood-boosting music?

Definitely the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

“A bit of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers is a family favourite, from father to son their music is something all of us appreciate.”

Yet, not unexpectedly, sad songs, especially those that raise sadder emotions, are generally out.

Too negative.

“I much prefer upbeat nice music,” she assures.

To find out more about the foundation’s work, click here.

A sampling of TINO’s contributed soothers

(check them out on Spotify or YouTube)

DINO soars

. Kiss From a Rose by Seal

. Gorillaz by Clint Eastwood

. Boogie Wonderland by Earth Wind & Fire, The Emotions

Madster

. Slow Hands by Niall Horan

. Chained to the Rhythm by Katy Perry, Skip Marley

. Galway Girl by Ed Sheeran

. Mr Brightside by The Killers

Mental Sounds

. Take Me To The Church by Hozier

. Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran

. Hold Back the River by James Bay

Lions volunteers give the gift of education to young non-verbal autistic boy

February 8, 2022/in DONATIONS, HEALTH, NEWS, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child and this is especially true for young children with autism.

Early intervention is key for the learning and development of children with autism and with the support of Lions volunteers a young non-verbal autistic 4-year-old is kickstarting 2022 with the education he needs to reach his full potential.

Thomas’ parents are from Columbia. They are not permanent residents in Australia and therefore cannot access the NDIS. Navigating the system is particularly difficult and expensive. Despite both working Thomas’ parents couldn’t afford the early intervention their 4-year-old son needs.

Lions volunteer Elvio Munzone with Thomas and his Dad Daniel.

When he came across the Martinez family last year, Sydney based Lion volunteer Elvio Munzone was on a mission to do what he could to help.

He quickly rallied within the Lions network and was able to secure $22,000 funding which will give Thomas access to 48 weeks of early intervention education.

“At Lions we’re passionate about helping those in need in the community. When Thomas’ parents reached out to me and explained their situation I was very keen to do what I could to assist. Early intervention is so important particularly for children with autism. This is not the first time Lions has supported young children with autism. A few years ago, we supported a young non-verbal boy with autism who benefited greatly and is now speaking and attending school.”

Thanks to Lions Clubs of Bondi, Manly, Lugarno, Coogee, Hunter Business Lions Club, Blacktown Ponds, Parramatta, Epping Eastwood, Sydney Seaside, Sydney Champions Inner West, Follow Your Dream Foundation-Australia and a grant from the Australian Lions Foundation, Thomas will now have the opportunity to benefit from early intervention too.

Thomas’ parents say they are very grateful for the support.

“As a young family and not permanent residents in Australia, navigating the health and education system can be hard and it’s very expensive. Thomas is everything to us and we are just so grateful that he is now able to access the early intervention that he needs, “says Daniel Martinez.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you to Lions for your support. It’s hard to find more words to express just how grateful we are. It is such an important time in our son’s life and we are sure that he will benefit greatly from this early intervention education. Thank you.”