Lions Club Region One and BVSS organise Diabetes Awareness Day

“It is the case that diabetes affects many people nowadays, and that is why prevention and awareness are very important to us. Exercise, healthy eating and attention to a healthy lifestyle can therefore reduce the risks of developing this disease,” Xiomara Leerdam of BVSS says, explaining her organisation’s involvement.

According to Albert Vermeer of the Lions Club, diabetes prevention is one of the activities to which his organisation regularly devotes attention. “We have been in Suriname, but also in the Caribbean, for 70 years. We of the Lions and Leo’s have eight global causes, of which diabetes prevention is one. The others are ‘feed the hungry, childhood cancer, and we also focus annually on diabetes awareness.” This concerns type 2 diabetes.

The activities on 31 October include a 5 km walk, a 5 km run and a danceathon. Participants can also have their blood pressure, BMI and glucose checked and undergo a foot screening, Leerdam says. “We also have massages. Participants can choose between a leg massage, head and shoulder massage or head reflexology.”

Unlike the other activities, the massages are available for a small fee. There are three instructors for the danceathon: Re-Heat, Dee’s Zumba and Lijndans Ishtika. Children up to the age of 12 can take part in the run for SRD 300.

The Lions Club hopes to bring the Surinamese community together through this activity. “In general, non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and type 2 diabetes, are also quite a cost item for the government, but also for companies. And everything that we as a community, also in consultation with the government and the business sector, can do to prevent this, we want to do,” Vermeer says.

According to the Leo, the intention is for people to be motivated to initially take part in the awareness activities, but also to consciously choose to exercise in the future. “Because that is one of the key factors in ensuring that you are not diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.” The Lions Club and Region One have been working together since last year to hold these awareness activities. If it is up to both organisations, this will become a recurring event.

People wishing to take part can register through a registration link on the Facebook page of BVSS, as well as that of the Lions. Physical registration is possible from the first Friday in October, on Fridays, at the BVSS grounds. Participation costs SRD 500. This includes a shirt and a medal. The organisations have also ensured that participants’ vehicles can be safely parked at the BVSS grounds. The route for the run will be announced definitively in mid-October. The final details are being worked out with the Motor Surveillance Dienst.