Silver Cross Hospital, Walgreens & Joliet Noon Lions Club to Offer Free Diabetes Screenings March 26

In recognition of the American Diabetes Association’s American Diabetes Alert, the Silver Cross Diabetes Center in partnership with the Joliet Noon Lions Club will offer free screenings to detect diabetes on Tuesday, March 26 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in outside Silver CrossHospital’s Season’s Dining Room, 1900 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Participants will be offered a Diabetes Risk Assessment and Blood Glucose Test as well as Walgreens will provide a free blood pressure screening. No fasting is required.

 The American Diabetes Alert is an annual nationwide campaign to raise awareness that diabetes is a complex, serious and increasingly common disease affecting more than 26million children and adults in the United States. There are an additional 79 million Americans who are at high risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes.

“Many patients learn for the first time that they have diabetes while in the hospital,” says Patsy Harris, RN, Silver Cross Diabetes Center Program Manager. “Last year, 24 percent of our inpatients had a primary or secondary diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. By diagnosing diabetes early, we can help our patients manage the disease and keep them out of the hospital and have a fulfilling healthier and active lifestyle.”

A sponsored article by Silver Cross Hospital.

Diabetes is a silent disease and if left untreated can harm your eyes, heart, nerves and kidneys just by having too much sugar in the bloodstream.  The risk factors for diabetes increase with age and weight gain.  Diabetes is more common in African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.  Those who are at risk have high blood pressure, a family history of diabetes or have delivered a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth.  Most people with diabetes do not notice any symptoms.  However, if you are constantly thirsty, urinate frequently or lose weight without trying, you should see a physician.

Amongst many complications, Diabetes can also cause blindness, which is a devastating disease the Lions Clubs around the world are working to prevent.  By partnering with Silver Cross, the area’s most comprehensive diabetes management program, the two hope to work together to prevent individuals in the community from these chronic diseases.

“We are proud to participate with Silver Cross for such a great event highlighting our mutual concern with Diabetes in the community,” said Ken Urb, President of the Joliet Noon Lions. The Lions Club will be collecting used eyeglasses, hearing aids, and cell phones which they then distribute to those in need.

About the Silver Cross Diabetes Center

The Silver Cross Diabetes Center is one of the area’s first American Diabetes Association’s recognized quality comprehensive diabetes management programs. Since 1996, the Diabetes Center has helped more than 6,000 patients and frequently provides educational programs and screenings in the community. For more information, call (815) 300-5990 or visit www.silvercross.org.

About the Joliet Noon Lions Club

The Joliet Noon Lions Club is affiliated with Lions Club International, which is a network of 1.3 million men and women in 200 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world.  Known for working to end preventable blindness, Lions participate in a vast variety of projects that are important to their communities such as collecting used hearing aids and eyeglasses for underprivileged people around the world.  For more information about the Joliet Noon Lions Club, stop by Silver Cross Hospital during the free Diabetes Screening or visit www.lionsclubs.org.

About Walgreens

Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. They are now conveniently located at the New Silver CrossHospital campus, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. To learn more about Walgreens visit www.walgreens.com.

Visit Silver Cross Hospital's Find-A-Physician website.