Let’s help Lap the Map

The Lions Club of Blue Lake City Lioness are tackling diabetes awareness with a three day event shining a light on the potentially chronic health condition in the lead up to World Diabetes Day on November 14.

The club will be facilitating free blood glucose and blood pressure testing on Friday, November 10, at Mount Gambier Central from 11am to 3pm, and there will also be a display, including the opportunity to be part of the Diabetic Friendly Raffle, on Saturday, November 11.

President Janet Bellinger said Gumpy, a Medical Alert Dog, will also be the star of the show on Friday and Saturday, as part of the club’s ongoing commitment to providing assistance for the Medical Alert Dog program, which works with diabetes patients.

It was back in June that the club donated $3000 to the program, earning the club the chance to name the puppy they helped fund. They named the puppy Nessie, in honour of their former club, and Gumpy is Nessie’s brother.

Each medical alert puppy costs around $38,000 and is trained to assist diabetes patients, alerting them when there are changes in their blood glucose level.

“That little dog one day could save someone’s life,” Janet said.

The Diabetes Awareness events will culminate in the Lions Lap the Map Walk for Diabetes on Monday, November 13.

The annual event, inaugurated in 2020, sees Lions Clubs across Australia hosting family friendly walks to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness of the diabetes epidemic, with the aim being to ‘Lap the Map’ – walk a combined total of kilometres nationwide that exceeds the circumference of Australia.

The Lions Club of Blue Lake City Lioness will be meeting at the Limestone Coast Pantry at 9am to collect donations and encourage people to walk the Rail Trail as part of the Lap the Map campaign.

You can also count your steps at an alternative, more convenient time and add it to the club’s official total.

Proceeds raised from the walk and the raffle will be diverted to Diabetes research and the Lions Medical Alert Dog Training Program. The raffle will be drawn on November 13 at the Limestone Coast Pantry.

For more details call 0407 553 196.