MONROE COUNTY, MI — For the health of it, the Lions of Michigan and the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe in partnership with the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM) will host free health screenings.
As part of the “Building Healthier Communities” initiative, the four-hour event is slated from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept.13 at the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe, 108 Washington St.
“Lions internationally support ‘Strides for Diabetes.’ These walks are fun activities to help promote awareness and management,” Kim Hooper, district governor for 32 Lions clubs in Monroe and Wayne counties, said in an email. “We support diabetes peer groups and diabetes camps for children along with Type 2 diabetes screening. So, when the Michigan Kidney Foundation approached the Lions of Michigan, it seemed like a perfect match.”
Hooper said events like these are important to the community to bring a free opportunity to those who may be underserved or who may not know that they may be at risk.
“Many of us know people who have diabetes or even kidney failure,” Hooper said. “The sooner they know there may be a problem the sooner the problem can be addressed and controlled. Knowledge is power and we are making it easier and more affordable for our friends to be screened.”
Several free screenings will be offered to help community members better understand their health. Medical professionals and trained volunteers will be available to explain results, answer questions and connect participants to community resources.
Screenings include: Diabetic eye exams; chronic kidney disease risk assessment; blood pressure checks; blood sugar/glucose testing; and body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference measurement.
The free screenings will be available to anyone age 18 and older. No appointment is necessary but pre-registration is recommended by logging on to www.nkfm.org/health-screening.
“This event is about bringing important preventive health services directly into the community,” Ed Bohach, NKFM Program Specialist II said in a press release. “Early detection and awareness are key steps to reducing the risk of diabetes, kidney disease, and related conditions.”
Bohach said the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, in collaboration with the Lions of Michigan, is piloting a vital health initiative designed to reduce chronic disease disparities across the state.
The project, “Building Healthier Communities through Awareness, Education, and Action,” directly supports the Lions Clubs International Foundation’s mission to improve health and well-being through service, education and sustainable community partnerships, as well as NKFM’s mission to prevent kidney disease and improve quality of life for those living with it.
Hooper said if anyone would like to join a civic group that addresses childhood cancer, diabetes, disaster relief, environment, humanitarian efforts, hunger, vision and youth, the new Monroe club meets the second Monday of the week at 6:30 p.m. at the Monroe First Presbyterian Church. The Bedford Township Lions meet on the first and third Wednesdays at the Erie Restaurant, 9788 S Dixie Hwy., in Erie.
— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: ‘Building Healthier Communities’: Lions Club co-hosts free health screenings Sept. 13
Reporting by Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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