News from the Lions Den

Posted on August 4, 2011

Firstly, we must say a sincere thank you to everybody who came along to see us at the Edlesborough carnival on 2nd July. It was our fi  rst 'public' event and we were made very welcome. We are delighted that so many of you came to say 'hello' and enjoyed our games. It was a milestone moment for this proposed new club to hand over our star prize of dinner for 4 at the Doubletree by Hilton when the winning ticket was pulled from the Treasure Island board!

In total we raised an impressive £190.00 from the day – every penny Lions earn is donated back into local causes and this new club will be no different!

The proposed club has decided to make it's fi  rst donation to the Medical Detection Dogs in memory of a former Lion who sadly passed away earlier this year after a short battle with cancer.

Dogs are renowned for their sense of smell. For centuries doctors have know diseases have characteristic odours which, dogs may be able to detect. Cancer cells release small amounts of volatile substances. Cancer Detection Dogs are being trained to detect these volatiles, it is hoped that this work and research will enable scientists to develop an early cancer screening system.

Medical Alert Dogs are trained to assist individuals who manage complex medical conditions on a day to day basis. Dogs are taught to identify the odour changes that are associated with certain medical events. For example for someone living with diabetes, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) or the avoidance of it can be a daily problem. Symptoms can vary from confusion, seizures to comas and be life threatening. Medical Alert Dogs are trained to recognise blood sugar levels outside the normal range. Dogs, once trained, can warn and get help before the symptoms are felt. They will bring their owner any necessary medical supplies such as glucose and blood testing kits and get help if necessary. They can also be trained to push alarm buttons.

Medical Detection Dogs provide alert dogs for those with other very dangerous health conditions including Addisonian crisis which causes severe pain, convulsions and unconsciousness. Pain seizures which lead to collapse and hospitalisation. Narcolepsy, a malfunction of the sleep/wake regulating system which causes sleep attacks and paralysis.

They are continuing to investigate other debilitating and potentially fatal conditions which  dogs may have the ability to help with. These include severe allergic responses and migraines proving dogs really can be 'man's best friend'!

We are hoping to organise a presentation evening in the autumn to include a talk from the Medical Detection Dogs Team and perhaps a meeting with some of the dogs themselves. Full information will be circulated closer to the date once fi  nal details have been confi  rmed. 

It was incredible to see how many of you got into the carnival spirit and decorated your houses – we don't envy the judges who had to choose which display was the best ! It is this very community spirit that convinces us that our proposal for a Lions club will be successful and we sincerely hope that more people will come forward and join us....We need at least 8 more members before we can become a fully functional Lions club so if you are interested or know anyone who may be, then please do get in touch. More information is available on our website www.ebelions.org.uk

Ordinary people doing amazing things

Source: Focus, August/September 2011