On Saturday, March 30th the Lions of District 24-A, Lions of Bailey’s Crossroads, Amerigroup Virginia, and the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services teamed up to host a health fair at Lincolnia Senior Center. The event was a wonderful service for the Center’s clients and the surrounding community. In addition to blood pressure, blood glucose, BMI, and diabetic retinopathy screenings, participants exercised with Amerigroup and tested their vision and hearing at the Lions Sight and Hearing Van. American Diabetes Association Ambassadors shared helpful tips about how to eat healthy. Thank you to all of the other vendors who participated! Please enjoy the pictures below from the event.

On December 8th we worked with All Saints Church and the Knights of Columbus to host our most-recent screening. We were lucky to have the support of new volunteers from local health centers, Prince William County, and the Manassas Lioness Club. A special thank you to The Knights of Columbus members who generously donated their hall for the screening.

On December 1st we worked with Carlin Springs Elementary Community School (http://www.apsva.us/Domain/582) in Arlington, VA to host our third screening. Carlin Springs Elementary works to engage its students’ families and the surrounding community in programming at the school. The Arlington community came together to ensure that the people who could most benefit from the screening knew about the screening. This effort was of especial benefit to two participants who our medical volunteers identified as having extreme hyperglycemia (very high blood sugar). We immediately got the participants into care and gave them information about local health and social services they could access for continued diabetes management.  An Arlington County case worker was at the screening to give participants information about Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP and help eligible participants complete enrollment forms. This service was of great benefit to participants and nicely complimented our medical services station.

On November 3rd we hosted a screening with FACETS (http://facetscares.org/) at their Ragan Oaks location in Fairfax, VA.  Many participants were surprised by their BMI and blood pressure results so were eager to learn about how they could improve their numbers. It was exciting to observe participants learn about and discuss healthy food choices, exercise, and goal-setting at the diabetes/wellness education station. There were quite a few “Aha!” moments. FACETS staff and interns showed their devotion to the project and their clients; they worked very hard to promote the event.

Diabetes/Wellness Ambassador Talks Nutrition with a Participant

On Saturday, October 6th we hosted our first screening event. Volunteers got to practice on their peers, attendees of the Fall District 24-A Fall Conference. Conference-goers had the opportunity get go through the screening, and in doing so, learn more about their health and the project. Volunteers and participants alike were excited about the project’s efforts to promote prevention and to get the word out about diabetes. In addition, project leads gave a presentation about the project.