HEALTH - Lions Clubs Australia

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!

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 Lap the Map for Diabetes 7 Times for World Diabetes Day

One step closer to Zero Childhood Cancer thanks to Lions