clchome

Medic Alert

Castlebar Medic Alert Officer - Joe Staunton

MEDIC ALERT is an internationally recognised medical identification system which is endorsed by the Medical Profession.

It was founded in the U.S.A. in 1956 by a Dr M.Collins, a medical Doctor, after his daughter almost died following an allergic reaction.

In 1965 the Lions in Multiple District 105 set up the Medical Alert Foundation - British Isles and Ireland. Its current headquarters is at 12 Bridge Wharf, 156 Caledonian Rd, London, Nl 9W. It is estimated that in the British Isles and Ireland there are currently 20 million people who have a hidden medical condition which could prove fatal if not recognised in an emergency. There are only 165,000 people covered by Medic Alert.

The Medic Alert Officer for the Club is Joe Staunton. Over the past two years eight people in the locality have been registered with Medic Alert.

Persons who are at risk from conditions such as Allergies, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Asthma, etc, should consider making application through their Doctor, Chemist or Castlebar Lions Club for registration with Medic Alert.

Application forms are available from Doctors and Chemists in Castlebar. Completed Application Forms should be taken to the patient's Doctor for certification and then passed to the Lions Club, who will arrange for registration and supply of bracelet or pendant which will be worn by the patient. This emblem shows the member's medical condition, personal identification number and Medic Alert's 24 hour telephone number.

Sight First

There are 40 million blind people throughout the world. Blindness increasing at a rate of 3 persons per minute. 90% of all blindness is in the developing world. SightFirst began only in 1990. Today, we have provided 384 grants totaling US $73.9 million, ranging from cataract operations to furnishing eye hospitals in developing countries with the latest equipment.

The Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) is being implemented in developed areas of the world where glaucoma and diabetic eye disease are most common.

Lions are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired. This service began when Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness" during the association's 1925 international convention.

Today, in addition to their international SightFirst program, Lions extend their commitment to sight conservation through countless local efforts.

Global Projects