Inaugural Lions Lap the Map a success for Diabetes awareness

• Across Australia over 1.3 million people have diabetes and 283 people are diagnosed every day • Lions Australia’s inaugural Lap the Map for Diabetes a success with 130 events held across Australia • Clubs across Australia held a range of fundraisers and family friendly healthy exercise activities to

mark World Diabetes Awareness Month • Diabetes has been named one of Lions’ 5 key focus areas for the coming year

Australia’s largest service organisation Lions Australia is on a mission to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and over 130 events were held across the country recently as part of the inaugural ‘Lions Lap the Map’. In recognition of World Diabetes Awareness Month in November the ‘Lions Lap the Map’ family friendly walks and community events promoted healthy lifestyle and raised awareness of the Diabetes epidemic in Australia. Lions has reported over 3000 Australians participated in the Lap the Map walks on 17th November. From events in shopping centres and gyms, to walks in parks with healthy food, diabetes screenings for attendees and informative health professionals and guest speakers and even a "Rock for Awareness" Diabetes concert there were a range of different types of events held as part of the project. “We thank all of the clubs and their communities who participated in Lap the Map events across Australia in November,” says Pat Mills, Lions National Diabetes Coordinator. “There were a range of different events held from Cairns to Tasmania, Sydney to Perth we really were "Lapping the Map" for Diabetes! It was wonderful to see so many Australians coming together to acknowledge the impact of Diabetes and promote the importance of healthy lifestyle choices,” says Pat Mills. “Diabetes has been identified as one of five focal areas supported by Lions Clubs. Our Lap the Map events have been a great way of raising awareness and some funds for diabetes. Over $10,000 was raised at events and will be donated to Lions Diabetes Awareness programs and Foundations “With 280 people diagnosed with diabetes every day across Australia this is a serious health issue. It can lead to serious diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves and teeth. However, early diagnosis, optimal treatment and effective ongoing support and management reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications ” says Pat Mills, Lions National Diabetes Coordinator. “Lions across Australia are committed to doing what we can to increase education around diabetes,” adds Pat. Early diagnosis, optimal treatment and effective ongoing support and management reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications and in recent years Lions Clubs across Australia have been focused on raising awareness and funds to support more vital research into the diagnoses and treatment.

With over 1.4 million members, Lions is the largest service organisation in the world. Since the first club was formed in Australia 70 years ago Lions has grown dramatically in size and impact with over 1300 Lions Clubs now in Australia giving back to the community. 100 per cent of funds donated to Lions go towards funding Lions projects. To see photos from lions Lap the Map events visit the Lions Lap the Map Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/lionslapthemap

MEDIA CONTACT: SARI-ELLE KRAEMER 0407284457 or skraemer@alphaconsulting.global About Lions Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion. Lions Australia is Australia’s largest service orgsanisation with more than 1300 clubs in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Lions Australia promotes youth, support medical research, provide aid to people with disability, community service and disaster relief. For more information, please visit https://lionsclubs.org.au