FERGUS – A Centre Wellington Diabetes and Lifestyle Expo is taking place here in November.
This year’s expo is sponsored by Lions Clubs of Centre Wellington, which include clubs from Ariss-Maryhill, Belwood and District, Elora and Fergus.
It will take place on Nov. 24 from 1 to 4pm at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex in Fergus.
Staring in 2017, Lions Clubs International shifted its focus from vision to diabetes and since that time, Fergus Lion Brian Martin has been organizing various diabetes awareness campaigns in November for Diabetes Awareness Month.
BRIAN MARTIN
He’s put up blue lights on the pedestrian bridge behind the Fergus library and he used to run “tag days” to raise money for diabetes awareness.
This year he’s adding a diabetes expo.
“The target is everyone,” Martin said.
Groves Memorial Community Hospital held a diabetes fair for a number of years, but cancelled it in 2018. So Martin decided to step up to offer the event.
The Centre Wellington Diabetes and Lifestyle Expo is billed as a place to learn about local services and programs, meet local health care partners, and learn about new products and ways to manage diabetes.
The expo will include educators, nutritionists, dietitians, pharmacists, Groves representatives, North Wellington Health Care representatives, family health teams, foot clinic representatives, Abbott Diabetes Care (talking about the newest “FreeStyle Libre” blood glucose monitor), and diabetes alert dog information.
Taking place in the Unity Hall, the event will offer attendees the opportunity to visit information booths; attend education sessions on exercise, foot care and nutrition; see food demos; enter draw prizes and giveaways; and take Diabetes Canada’s online diabetes risk test.
Martin said it’s a way to bring resources together for those who have diabetes or are involved with diabetes.
“Anyone who wants to know more about diabetes; anyone who has a sibling, a child, a relative or friend that maybe they’re looking in on with diabetes; anyone who would like to find out how they can … lower (their) risk,” Martin said.
The day is free for the public and is fully supported by the four Lions Clubs.
Other Diabetes Awareness Month activities
In November, FreshCo in Fergus and Giant Tiger in Fergus will be collecting donations.
“(Fergus Lions are) supporting and managing those two programs,” Martin said. “So we will take the money and make a cheque, from both amounts, to Diabetes Canada on behalf of those two entities.”
Martin will also be installing the blue lights on the pedestrian bridge behind the Fergus library once again on Nov. 14, International Diabetes Day.
