Oskaloosa Lions and Mahaska Health Partnership Team Up For Diabetes Fair

Dr. Beers checks blood flow in Elmer Stahl’s legs at a free screening during Saturday’s Diabetes Fair inside Penn Central Mall.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Diabetes is one of the most significant health concerns for people, not only in the United States but for many developing countries around the world.

On Saturday, professionals and vendors joined together to help educate and inform and raise awareness about the disease, and the steps they can take to combat the disease, or control it for a happier and healthier life.

Mahaska Health Partnership’s Cathy Stahl said that November is National Diabetes Month, and with the focus that the Lions Club has on diabetes, “so teaming up with them was the perfect thing for the community.”

There were 15 booths in all and covered everything from diet, exercise, home health, and eye conditions, to drug representatives on hand to help people navigate their diabetes concerns.

Dr. Mark Beers from Mahaska Health Partnership was on hand checking blood circulation in the legs of participants and talking about foot issues.

Susan Stearns from Fareway was on hand discussing the store’s program that helps shoppers navigate to good foods and helps their patrons who are impacted by diabetes.

The supermarket roadmap outlines proper eating guidelines to help shoppers make a better choice when impacted by the disease.

Debby Doty with the Oskaloosa Lions Club was the spark that helped to create the diabetes fair.

Lions Clubs around the world have embraced raising awareness of diabetes, which goes along with helping those with vision problems because diabetes is the leading cause of blindness around the world.

The club used the fair as a service project for their club. For Doty, helping others navigate and understand the disease is a personal one. “I was diabetic before I knew I was a diabetic and had I understood the symptoms that came along with it, I probably would have discovered I was diabetic years before I got diagnosed.”

“I wanted a way to educate people,” said Doty. Her next step was a call to MHP and Cathy Stahl.

With that phone call, a collaborative effort began to help make the fair a reality.

“I’m so excited about how many people are here today,” added Doty of the good size crowd that was coming and going.

The Lions Club is known for their work helping those with vision loss. This mission started back in the 1920’s when Helen Keller challenged the group to become “Knights for the Blind”, said Doty. “The Lions took that challenge and ran with it.”

Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness explained Doty. “That’s why International decided to take on diabetes as a challenge.”

You can learn more about the Oskaloosa Lions Club by visiting their Facebook page HERE – https://www.facebook.com/OskaloosaLionsClub/.

You can learn more about Mahaska Health Partnership by visiting their website HERE – http://www.mahaskahealth.org/.