Lions Health Screening Unit

Ellensburg Lions Club hosted the mobile Lions Health Screening Unit (LHSU) October 16th & 17th.

On Friday, the LHSU was at Cle Elum-Rosyln and Thorp School Districts, doing vision and hearing screenings for school kids. Approximately 200 kids at Cle Elum-Roslyn and 40 at Thorp were screened. Thanks to the school nurses and all the volunteers who helped make the day run as smoothly as possible.

Saturday was our public health screening day. Super 1 Foods gave us a parking space for the unit, right next to the store for high visibility. People started lining up at 8 am (we didn't start until 9:00!)


Lion (and Public Health Nurse) Liz performed the blood sugar test to screen for diabetes. Joey took a break from the registration table to have his sugar levels tested.


Lion Jaela checked visual acuity with the eye chart, and improvised with "counting fingers" when people's vision was too poor to see anything on the chart.


Lion John checks Julie's blood pressure. One person came to the screening because they were concerned about their vision--we discovered they had very high blood pressure and recommended they go to the emergency room for immediate treatment (in case you were wondering, this person was not Julie).


The two other stations were a hearing test and intraocular pressure, which is a screening test for glaucoma.

We ended up screening 24 people. Although this was not as large of a turn-out as we were hoping for, the people we did screen were very appreciative of the service and the catch we made on the high blood pressure made it worth-while. A lot of people saw the unit parked in front of Super-1, so hopefully this will increase the number of individuals taking advantage of the screenings in the future.

From the left, Lion Mike (the LHSU driver), Lion Sarah, Joey, and Lions Jaela, Liz, and John. Not pictured: Lion Byron and Julie.



Thanks to Lion Liz (who was the LHSU Project Chair) and all the club members who helped with this project--everyone in the Ellensburg Lions Club participated in some way! A special thank you to Lion John who donated hotel points to provide lodging for the LHSU driver.

Tooth used to restore sight.

USA Today (9/17, Marcus) reports that on Wednesday, physicians from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine announced that "they had performed a vision-restoring surgery that used" a "60-year-old patient's tooth" to restore her sight. Over the Labor Day weekend, physicians there performed surgery that allowed Sharron Thornton "to see for the first time in nine years." Following the surgery, Thornton "was able to see 20/60" instead of "only shadows," surgeon Victor Perez, MD, explained.

The Miami Herald (9/17, Tasker) reports that during the operation, "surgeons removed one of" Thornton's "teeth, drilled a hole in it, inserted a plastic lens into the hole, and implanted the tooth-lens combination into her eye." As a result of this procedure, "the first such operation in the United States," Thornton can now "recognize faces and read a newspaper with a magnifying glass." Her physicians say "she should get better vision once she is fully healed and fitted with glasses."

"The tooth and the lens were implanted under the patient's skin in the cheek or shoulder for two months so they could bond, then they were carefully implanted in the center of the eye after a series of procedures to prepare the socket," the AFP (9/17) reports. A statement from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute explained, "A hole is made in the mucosa for the prosthetic lens, which protrudes slightly from the eye and enables light to re-enter the eye allowing the patient to see once again."

The Los Angeles Times (9/16, Maugh) "Booster Shots" blog reported that Thornton "was blinded by Stevens-Johnson syndrome in 2000." The Wall Street Journal (9/16, Wang) "Health Blog" and CNN (9/17) also covered the story.

Eyelid common site for skin cancer, experts say.

California's San Gabriel Valley Tribune (9/18, Jansen) reports that the eyelid "is one of the most common sites for skin cancer, accounting for as much as 10 percent of all skin cancers. Left untreated," cancers there "could lead to significant injury and even blindness." The Skin Cancer Foundation explained that "with their delicate structure and greater exposure to the sun, the eyes and surrounding areas are particularly prone to cancers," and people who have "fair skin, light eyes," or "who are older have an increased risk of skin cancer and eye diseases." The "most common" form of cancer of the eyelid is "basal cell carcinoma." To prevent eyelid cancer, people should wear sunscreen, wear wide-brimmed hats, and "wear sunglasses with 99-100 percent UV protection year-round."

Minutes for Sept 8th, 2009

Meeting was held at Wings Central Roadhouse Grill (Rodeo City BBQ Closed this week).
Members in attendance: John Barker, Byron Thomas, Sarah Storrs, Liz Whitaker, and our newest member Jaela Peters
Guest: Joey Beaushaw

Call to Order 12:15 pm – Lion President Sarah Storrs

Treasurer’s Report – Deferred as Secretary/Treasurer not in attendance

Sight and Hearing Committee Report—Lion Sarah Storrs
· Outstanding Eye Care Applications: 3 (one has been approved; two I need additional information)
· Would like to amend our application (again) to 1) require proof of income and 2) have DSHS be the only screening source. Discussion by Liz Whitaker about requirements for DSHS for adults—her thinking was that they would not qualify unless they were unemployable (not just unemployed). Sarah Storrs will contact DSHS for an explanation about exactly what the qualifications are and will write up a draft to bring to club for a vote prior to any policy change.
· Outstanding Hearing Aid Application: 1 (waiting for patient P/U, has been informed of reduced copay). Sarah Storrs to attempt to contact by phone one more time, then send letter giving patient 30 days to pick up HA or it will be returned to HA Bank.
· Would like to amend our application process so applicant pays co-pay before HA are ordered. And include an agreement with some verbage to the effect that the decision of behind the ear vs. in the ear aids depends on what’s available at the bank. Again, a draft will be presented to the club prior to any policy change.
· NLF Hearing Aid Bank – processing applications if clubs pay 100% refurbishing costs through end of 2009

Old Business

· LHSU Screenings October 16th & 17th —Lion Liz Whitaker
o Hours volunteers will be needed: schools will be providing all the volunteers on Friday. For the public screening on Saturday, six volunteers (plus one to wear Lion costume) are needed from 8:30 to 1:00 pm. Byron, Sarah, John, Jaela, Liz, and Joey signed up. Doug Ryder was suggested to come be the Lion.
o Press releases to CE Tribune and EB Daily Record
o PSA to KXLE, KCWU, the Wind—per Liz, advertising will be deferred until Super-1 management reviews.
o Posters: Liz had printed & laminated about 20 8 ½ x 11 color posters. She will print about 10-12 more and also print an equal number in Spanish, and bring to 9/22 meeting for distribution. Lion Sarah Storrs to compile list of posting locations to bring to next meeting.
o Driver: Meals? Liz and Sarah will pay for one meal each for driver. Need two more meals covered if at all possible. Lodging? Lion John Barker will donate points & set up a reservation at the Hampton Inn for the driver. Fuel? Lion Sarah Storrs to contact Cenex Co-op to see about any type of non-profit discount
o Referral resources. Liz is compiling a hand-out list that will be available at the screening.
o Liz wanted to verify that the daily charge for the LHSU was written into the budget by Dick. $150 per day, so a total of $300.

· Mints & Scouts—Lion Byron Thomas
o Supposed to be arriving today per Lion Bill Sheppard (WVLC). He will notify by email when they’re here, Lion Mark to coordinate pick-up
o Mint stand locations: Is 8/21/08 list current? Byron added Canopy Country RV
o Flag for Scouts: Base just needs touch up paint. This was completed 9/8/09—flag is ready to present to Scouts.

· Threshing Bee—Lion Sarah Storrs for Dick Wedin
o Need 2 volunteers 9/19 and 9/20 to help with breakfast 7-10:00 am. As all members in attendance have signed up for the LHSU Screening, this volunteer opportunity is being passed along to the club members who couldn’t make it today.


· Yard Sale Fundraiser—Lion Sarah Storrs
o Saturday, September 26th 8 am to noon at 302 N Benton Street in Kittitas
o Drop off items (pre-priced) Friday Sept 25th between 2 and 10 pm
o Leftovers will be taken to Goodwill (or can be retrieved before 1:00 Saturday)
o Will not be advertised as Lions Club activity so $$ can go to dues account if needed
o Need volunteers to help that day—will be divided up in shifts:
7:30-9:30 am ~ Set-up
1) Liz Whitaker
2) John Barker
9:30-11:30
1) ________________
11:30-1:00ish ~ Take-down
1) ________________
2) ________________

New Business

· Other upcoming events…
o Climb to Conquer Cancer, Sunday October 11th
o Play-It-By-Ear Bunco Tournament, Saturday Nov 14th —Jaela Peters Chair

· Next meeting September 22nd, Program: Erma Zambrano, Foster Parent Program

Adjourn 12:55 pm

Club Yard Sale

Lion Sarah is having a yard sale fundraiser for the club at her home in Kittitas on Saturady, September 26th from 8 am to noon. Donations from club members are needed (please price items before bringing to the sale). The items can be dropped off on Friday the 25th from 2-10 pm--I'm sure we'll be up that late getting ready :) Any left-overs are going to Goodwill, but you can retrieve any unsold items at the conclusion of the sale. I will take care of promotion, but I need two other club members to help out on the day of the sale.

Threshing Bee

We will be looking for a few good Lions to assist with the Kiwanis Club breakfast at the Threshing Bee again this year. The Bee will be Sept 25th & 26th (Sat & Sun), with volunteers needed from 7 am to around 10 am. It's at Olmstead Place State Park.

August 11, 2009 Agenda

Call to Order 12:05 pm – Lion President Sarah Storrs
Flag Salute – Lion Doug Ryder
Invocation – Lion Bob Titus
Introductions & Tail Twisting – Lion Bob Titus
• Where is the farthest place from Ellensburg you have traveled?

Treasurer’s Report – Lion Dick Wedin
• Dues & Project Account balances

Sight and Hearing Committee Report—Lion Sarah Storrs
• Outstanding Eye Care Applications: 2 (waiting for further info from applicants—both will probably be approved)
• Outstanding Hearing Aid Application: 1 (waiting for patient P/U, has been informed of reduced copay)
• NWLF Hearing Aid Bank out of funding effective 8/31/2009

Old Business

• LHSU Update—Lion Liz Whitaker
o School Screening Friday, October 16th (Cle Elum morning, Thorp afternoon)
o Public Screening Saturday, October 17th (Super-1 Parking lot)
o Committee members: Liz, Doug, Dick, Bob T, and Wayne

• Committee Selections—Lion Sarah Storrs
o List of assignments

New Business

• Mints—Lion Byron Thomas
o Per Lion Bill Sheppard (WVLC), cost of mints will be going up from $65 per case to $70 per case for regular flavors (currently all we stock) and $75 to $85 for sugar-free starting next month. Need to get our order in this week. Minimum he needs from us is 3-4 cases.

• Scouts—Lion Byron Thomas
o Need to get flag price from VFW (Gene Ketzenberg) to order ASAP for scouts
o Online training for scout den leadership

• Open House—Lion Sarah Storrs
o MD Leadership (P. Kazlarich) has offered to assist us in holding one
o Jan-Feb 2010 possible dates???
o New member orientation—MD-19 has some information on this on their website.

• Reminder of Zone Social—Lion Sarah Storrs
o August 6th, in Naches

Adjourn 12:55 pm