Lions to Screen 5,000 at Ploughing Championship
Up to 5,000 visitors to the 2013 National Ploughing Championship in Ratheniska, Co. Laois are expected to avail of free Diabetes Screening, provided by Lions Clubs from the region.
A team of 120 Lions and qualified nurses will be at the Lions Stand at the Championships from 24th. to 26th. September. They will offer visitors a simple, painless blood test which is designed to identify early symptoms of diabetes. The service will run from 8am to 6pm on each day of the Ploughing Championships and the Lions are confident that they will exceed the 4,757 visitors who availed of the test in New Ross last year.
The incidence of diabetes is accelerating rapidly in Ireland due to diet and lifestyle changes and many people who are vulnerable to the disease remain oblivious of the risk that they are running. Medical experts estimate that up to 50,000 people with diabetes in Ireland are unaware of their condition.
The 2,500 Lions in 115 Lions Clubs throughout Ireland, work to raise awareness of diabetes and organise frequent screening days all over the country. They have been offering this service at the National and World Ploughing Championships for many years and an indication of its effectiveness is the 365 participants in the 2012 test who were referred to their GP for further examination. This represented 8% of those tested.
Lions also liaise with the Diabetes Society of Ireland and will be distributing its information literature at the National Ploughing Championships.The service at the 2013 National Ploughing Championships is organised by nine Lions Clubs in the Midlands Region- Portarlington, Athy, Monasterevin, Abbeyleix, Newbridge/Kildare, Portlaoise, Kilcullen, Tullamore and Carlow
Media are invited to visit the Lions Stand where a special area will be set aside for photo opportunities with visiting dignitaries and well known personalities.