Dimes for Diabetes
The Lions of Zone 1 West located in Windsor, Tecumseh, Amherstburg and Harrow are collecting “Dimes for Diabetes” to assist local individuals who can not afford their insulin. All proceeds raised will remain in the Windsor-Essex community.
Currently, the roaming jar collecting dimes is located at Tech’s R Us in Harrow.
Please check back to this site for an update of events being held to raise funds for this worthy cause or contact Lion Marianne at zone1w@hcslions.com.
Read on for more information on Diabetes and the Dimes for Diabetes initiative from Zone 1 West Zone Chair Lion Marianne Robinson:
We all know what the condition diabetes is. We know that it is a condition that impedes the proper use of insulin in the body which is vital to a normal metabolism. We also know the complications of diabetes, such as kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and of course blindness.
Lions are known as the “knights of the blind”. As knights of the blind we donate to causes that aid the blind. We also donate to causes such as the eye glass program, visual screening, leader dogs and diabetes awareness.
It is estimated that over two and a quarter million Canadians have diabetes. Diabetes Is the 7th leading cause of death in Canada. More than 60,000 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in each year. Health care costs for diabetes and its complications amount to approximately 9 billion dollars a year.
The Lions Club Project for the 2008-2009 year is DIMES FOR DIABETES. We are asking the community to donate their dimes to this worthy cause. All of the proceeds of this campaign will remain in the Windsor-Essex County area. We have become aware that due to the economic times, there are residents in this area who cannot afford their insulin.
Imagine being a parent who is laid off and has a child with diabetes who needs insulin. What decisions are those parents making. Do they buy groceries, can they afford sports programs for the children, do they pay the mortgage, light bill, gas bill or do they buy insulin for their child?
Imagine being a father, who is laid off and has diabetes. The decision he has to make - Should I pay the mortgage this month or should I buy my insulin? Something tells me that sometimes the mortgage gets paid and sometimes Dad does without insulin. What a horrible choice.
The “Dimes for Diabetes” program is a zone project which I am hoping will raise funds in order to alleviate some of the stress these people are going through.
We are asking the community and business owners as well as the local schools to allow us to put our donation jar at your place of business or in your school.
All the funds raised through this zone project will remain in the Windsor-Essex County area. We all have a stake in this project - We all know someone with diabetes. We may even know someone who is laid off and struggling financially who may benefit from our zone project.
