Santa will visit Westport this year on Saturday, November 25 at the Westport Santa Claus parade. The theme of the parade will be Gingerbread Christmas.
Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
One in three Canadians are living with diabetes or are prediabetic. If diabetes is left untreated or improperly managed, it can result in serious complications, including heart, kidney and eye disease, impotence, and nerve damage.
The first step in combating diabetes is awareness and education. November is diabetes awareness month across the globe. To support this initiative, the Westport Lions will at Westport’s Beer Store, Liquor Store, and Circle K on Saturday, November 5 with resources and information to combat this disease. The Lions’ Diabetes Tag Day is an opportunity for our community to educate themselves about diabetes and show their support for individuals living with diabetes by donating money to fund education, support services, advocacy, and diabetes research.
Currently, 11.7 million Canadians are living with diabetes or prediabetes, that’s one in three of us. Over 50% of type 2 diabetes is preventable through diet, and exercise. The World Health Organization estimates that 463 million people in the world have diabetes and by 2045, that number will increase to 700 million. Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the world.
If there is diabetes in your family, you should be especially careful not to put weight on your waistline and even moderate physical activity will lower your risk. Be conscious of your diet, eat plenty of fibre-rich cereal products and vegetables every day and avoid deep fried and fatty foods. If you are interested in knowing your risk of getting type 2 diabetes, go to: https://www.idf.org/type-2-diabetes-risk-assessment/. The test takes only a couple of minutes to complete. It is a quick, easy, and confidential way to find out your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The signs and symptoms of diabetes include the following:
- Unusual thirst
- Frequent urination
- Weight change (gain or loss)
- Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
- Blurred vision
- Frequent or recurring infections
- Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- Trouble getting or maintaining an erection
It is important to recognize that many people who have type 2 diabetes show no symptoms.
Diabetes is a global epidemic and is one of the five pillars of service of Lions International. The Westport Lions ask for your support to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve the quality of life for those diagnosed by donating on Saturday, November 5.
Westport Lions Club 