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Lea S. Agaton, President, Chicago Nurses For Diabetes Lions Club

Ryan-Tejero

By: Ryan Tejero

 

Recently chartered in early 2020, Chicago Nurses for Diabetes Lions Club (CNDLC) was created right around the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. It was a timely birth of a very important community organization which was inspired by the vision of past Lions District 1A Governor Marilyn McLean. She was reminded of her aunt, who was a very active leader in a professional nursing organization, and was afflicted with complications of diabetes. Her vision was to create a specialty organization that would focus on diabetes prevention and support for people with diabetes.

The World Health Organization reveals that about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, the majority living in low-and middle-income countries, and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year, (Google).

In Chicago area, CNDLC was organized by a group of nurses, healthcare professionals, supporters, and advocates who are working together to improve the lives of people affected by diabetes. They gather their energy and resources to promote diabetes prevention and disease awareness in the community. CNDLC members work with other community organizations to offer diabetes screenings and teach effective disease management. CNDLC strives to be a strong lead organization that will fight and champion diabetes prevention, awareness, and advocacy for people with diabetes globally.

Since its inception in 2020, CNDLC have been actively involved in diabetes screening and health fairs. In addition to their focus on diabetes prevention initiatives, CNDLC also organized service-oriented projects that were in congruent to the other Lions pillars which include: environment, hunger, vision, and childhood cancer.

CNDLC participated in Illinois Lions Candy Day which is the biggest state-wide fund-raising activity benefitting sight, hearing and humanitarian services in Illinois. The group had a highly successful online pop-up store that sold food products. It was able to raise a substantial amount that helped us purchase supplies for CNDLC’s service projects.

Currently, CNDLC is working on writing the Lions Club International Foundation Diabetes Grant Program which, if successful, will help the group implement a broader scale of service projects that are geared toward diabetes awareness, prevention and management. The LCIF Diabetes Grant Program aims to help develop community environments that inspire and support healthy lifestyles and provide education about diabetes and pre-diabetes.

This month of October, CNDLC celebrates its Governor’s Night and the Induction of New Officers and Members. This evening of fun, elegance and helping the community will be held at the Chez Hotel located at 519 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Donation is $65 via Zelle – chicagonursesfordiabetes@ gmail.com. If you are interested to join or pledge your support for CNDLC, please reach out to its president, Lea S. Agaton through her email – l.agaton@yahoo.com.

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Lea S Agaton. CNDLC President

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CNDLC’s diabetes screening drive

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CNDLC’s environment advocacy

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