[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 857

[Garry Krischock]

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1.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1542;_ylc=X3oDMTJxM2djO
XU3BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1N
DIEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIzMTI3OTI2OA--> 1623: New action group
tackles growing diabetes problem 

Mon Jan 5, 2009 2:57 pm (PST) 

New action group tackles growing diabetes problem By Ryan Hyland

[http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/diabetes1230.jpg]
Rotarian Larry Deeb, director of the Rotarians Creating Awareness of
Diabetes Action Group, takes part in activities on World Diabetes Day 15
November. Photo courtesy of Deeb
The RI Board of Directors
<http://www.rotary.org/en/AboutUs/RotaryLeadership/Directors/Pages/ridef\
<http://www.rotary.org/en/AboutUs/RotaryLeadership/Directors/Pages/ridefault
.aspx> 
ault.aspx> has approved a new Rotarian Action Group to help fight the
growing epidemic of diabetes.

According to the International Diabetes Federation <http://www.idf.org/>
(IDF), there are currently 246 million cases of the disease worldwide,
with a projected 380 million cases by 2025. The greatest increases will
likely occur in the developing world.

"It's clear there is an opportunity for Rotarians to help," says Larry
Deeb, a physician and director of the Rotarian Action Group for
Diabetes. "Rotary has a unique way of engineering awareness, funds, and
ground support to growing problems in the world. Our action group will
bring visibility to the fight against diabetes."

The disease, characterized by a failure to regulate glucose, or blood
sugar, can lead to serious health problems and even death. It occurs in
two main forms: type 1, caused by a malfunction of the autoimmune system
that compromises the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin, and
type 2, often called adult onset, in which the body's ability to produce
or use insulin is impaired.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
<http://www.cdc.gov/> estimates that diabetes-related deaths will
increase by more than 50 percent in the next 10 years without some kind
of intervention.

With 44 members, the action group's initial service goals include
addressing type 1 diabetes.
Early roots
The group has its roots in the efforts of Deeb, a member of the Rotary
Club of Tallahassee, Florida, USA, and fellow club member Wayne Edwards,
president of the new action group.

Since 1995, the pair have collaborated on several Rotary Foundation
Matching Grants aimed at raising money for diabetes education. In 2000,
they donated funds to Life for a Child, an IDF program that helps
children with diabetes in developing countries by providing existing
health clinics with insulin and syringes, glucose monitoring machines,
and transportation and clinical care for patients.

Deeb and Edwards traveled to Bolivia in 2003 and established clinics in
seven cities across the country as part of the first Rotary
club-sponsored Life for a Child program. More than 100 children were
given free insulin and testing supplies. Projects in Cameroun, Nepal,
and Nigeria soon followed.

Edwards, past governor of District 6940, says the group's existing
relationship with the IDF will allow it to be more effective in
addressing the disease's increasing incidence among children.
Edwards's wife and eldest son have type 1 diabetes.

"There is a real need for Rotary International to participate," he says,
adding that the new group "gives interested Rotarians worldwide a chance
to get involved with improving the lives of those suffering from
diabetes."

Deeb is chair of an IDF committee dedicated to improving insulin
availability worldwide. He also has been involved with the American
Diabetes Association for two decades, serving in a number of positions,
including Medicine and Science president.

"The growing rate of diabetes will cripple countries with incredible
costs," Deeb says. "In developing countries, communities are simply
unaware of the seriousness of diabetes."

"This action group can be the catalyst for any projects Rotarians dream
up."

Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

 

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