Tag Archives: may

Lyme Disease Awareness Month

06 Thursday May 2021

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After a long, hard winter, many of us look forward to seeing the many signs of spring. We love to hear the birds sing, the flowers start to bud and the crickets chirp the night away. However, there is one area of spring that we can almost certainly guarantee that no one looks forwards to – the return of ticks.

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that approximately 476,000 people in the US are diagnosed with Lyme Disease each year. But because Lyme Disease can be incredibly difficult to diagnose, experts believe that number may be much higher. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, so we felt it was a good time to learn more about this particularly creepy disease.

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection, primarily transmitted by Ixodes ticks (more commonly known as deer ticks.) Not every deer tick has Lyme, they get it after feeding on an infected animal such as a mouse or deer. Then, they pass it along to the next animal or person they bite.

A popular misconception is that an infected tick must be attached for 24 hours to transmit Lyme, but one report has shown that it was after only 6 hours. The risk may be low on day one, but there is still a chance of transmission.

One of the scariest parts about this disease is the fact that it can mimic symptoms of other diseases. Patients with Lyme are often misdiagnosed with conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and other psychiatric conditions.  

To prevent the contraction of Lyme Disease, work the following tips into active tick season (April through September) after being outdoors:

  • Inspect clothing and pets to find any lingering ticks.
  • Take a shower within two hours of being outdoors to help wash away any unattached ticks and conduct a tick check.
  • As previously mentioned, Lyme is commonly misdiagnosed, so educate yourself by knowing the symptoms.

Don’t let ticks stop you from enjoying the beauty of the season. Happy Spring from Lions Pride!

No Fans at Indy 500

20 Thursday Aug 2020

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Many of us will agree that summer 2020 is unlike any summer in recent memory. Although we may still be able to go out and soak up plenty of Vitamin D, there’s likely a lot of people we’d like to see and various events we’d love to attend.

The latest national event seeing drastic changes is the Indianapolis 500. There were six times in history where the race was cancelled due to war, but the first time, no fans will be in attendance watching the race in real-time.

The Indy 500 originally scheduled for Sunday, May 24, was postponed. In June, Indianapolis Motor Speedway made plans to reschedule the event for August and drop the maximum capacity down 50% (approximately 175,000 fans.) They were hoping the situation wouldn’t change, but the pandemic had other plans. Since the June 26 announcement, Marion County in Indiana has seen positive cases of coronavirus triple and positivity rates double.

Penske Entertainment Corp president and CEO Mark Miles says that he hopes fans know that they’ve done everything possible to continue the race with an audience. Still, they were committed to putting the health and safety of the community first for the very beginning.

Officials recently concluded that the 2020 race happening on Sunday, August 23, will be closed to the general public. Fortunately, those who had purchased tickets will be credited for the 2021 race and retain their seniority.

We’ve seen it time and time again this summer, but coronavirus has been the ultimate party crasher. Here at Lions Pride, we’ve had to cancel or postpone our favorite events like the Sporting Clays Fundraiser, our annual meeting and the Friendship 100.

What events and activities have you personally been missing this summer? Let us know in the comments below.

We know that 2020 has anything but a typical year but remember that we’re all in this together, and we will get through the uncertainty in due time. Hang in there!

Supporting Nurses and Other Healthcare Workers

30 Thursday Apr 2020

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woman in blue shirt wearing face mask

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Next Wednesday, May 6, is the start of Nurses Week. Now, you may be asking yourself, shouldn’t this type of celebration start at the beginning of the week? It’s, of course, customary to commemorate these types of events on a Sunday or Monday, but this celebration is a bit different. Each year, Nurses Week takes place from May 6 to May 12, regardless of the day of the week, so the final day always lands on May 12, the birth date of Florence Nightingale, who is known as the Founder of Modern Nursing.

As the number of coronavirus cases continue to spread across the United States and impact the everyday lives of residents all over the world, we can’t think of a more appropriate time to recognize nurses putting their lives on the line to save others.

In the last month, Google released a video reporting that now more than ever before, people are looking for ways to help nurses and others involved in the medical community. To help answer this question, we have a few ideas to actively support our nursing community during this uncertain time:

  1. Donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The need for Personal Protective Equipment grows as we discover new COVID-19 cases. Sadly, we are seeing that many facilities are ill-equipped with the gear necessary to protect our nurses and healthcare workers from catching and spreading the virus. A group of doctors started a grassroots organization to determine which facilities are in most desperate need. Remember that supplies save lives. Visit their site to see if you can help.

  1. Send a Thank You Card

If you ever received extraordinary care from a nurse at a hospital or healthcare facility, we encourage you to let them know – even if it was years ago. Although many nurses might say that they were just doing their jobs, we, as patients, know that tender care can make all the difference in the world during times of ill health. Consider sending a thank you card or handwritten note expressing your gratitude. During this pandemic, nurses are working overtime and making a number of sacrifices in their personal lives to get through the present situation, so we would be willing to be a little appreciation would help boost their morale.

  1. Stay home (if you can)

It’s been 37 days since Wisconsin issued the “Safer at Home” order, and we know that many of us are coming down with cabin fever (ourselves included). Still, it’s critical to remember the origin behind stay-at-home orders. Right now, we need to ensure that hospitals can effectively manage the number of COVID cases. Although we all miss seeing our family and friends, we encourage you to continue limiting non-essential trips to keep our healthcare workers ahead of the virus.

We don’t know where we’d be at a time like this without the dedication of our hard-working nurses. To the nurses who wear their hearts on their sleeves, run nonstop throughout long, 12-hour shifts, and continuously put others before themselves, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Please stay safe out there!

Coronavirus remain a bit of a mystery to the medical community, but experts continue to learn more and more about coronavirus each day. Here at Lions Pride, we’d like to remind you to stay up to date with the latest information by visiting the CDC Website

Armed Forces Day + Ways to Thank a Veteran

16 Thursday May 2019

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If you were tasked with brainstorming symbols to characterize each month of the year, what would they be? January might be a party hat, February would be a traditional red heart, March could be best described as a tulip (buried under a foot of snow,) April might be a raincloud and May would be an American Flag.

The fifth month of the year is an especially patriotic time in the United States. At the end of the month, we’ll celebrate veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day, but we have another chance to say “thank you for your service” before then.

This Saturday, May 18, is Armed Forces Day, a holiday that is always observed on the third Saturday in May. The holiday was created to help pay tribute to people of the Armed Forces. Unbeknownst to many, up until 1949, there were single day celebrations for each branch of the military. After the branches were unified under the Department of Defense, leaders thought it best to commemorate them all on one day.

For those of us who have never been involved in the military, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to imagine what time in the service must be like. Members of the military put their lives on the line to protect our freedom, so how do you genuinely say, “thank you?” The best way to get started is with a handshake, but we think we can go above and beyond when it comes to expressing our gratitude. We’ve compiled a few thank you ideas to begin the brainstorming process, with the help of Military.com:

  1. Donate your frequent flyer miles to the family of a veteran

    If you’re an avid traveler, consider donating those extra miles to a family in need. The Hero Miles Program gives airline tickets to wounded, injured and ill service members as well as their families who are undergoing treatment at a military or VA medical center. Learn how to donate your miles.

  2. Hire a veteran to speak at your next event

    To say a veteran learned a few valuable lessons during their time in the military would likely be an understatement. These individuals have incredible insight about leadership, team work and persistence. The next time you are looking for a speaker, bring in a veteran for the job.

  3. Shop from a veteran-owned business

    Did you know that over 2.5 million businesses in the United States are majority-owned by veterans? Choose to support these entrepreneurs by visiting their facilities or adding them to the supply chain of your company.

  4. Invite a veteran to join you and your club

Veterans have experience turning plans into actions, leading groups and brainstorming new and innovative ideas, and many want to get involved in local service work. They are just a natural fit into the Lions community. Invite a veteran to attend your next club meeting.

These are only four of an infinite number of thoughtful ways to say, “I am so grateful for your service.” How will you thank a veteran? Let us know in the comments below!

The Lions Pride Board and Staff would like to wish all military service members and their families a Happy Armed Forces Day!

 

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Involve a Veteran this Memorial Day

24 Thursday May 2018

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If we were to ask you what the most patriotic month of the year is, how would you respond? You’d probably say July; it’s a no-brainer. But what about the second most patriotic month? We’d say May.

This month, we’ve already celebrated Armed Forces Day on May 19, and Memorial Day is right around the corner. Veterans gave a major sacrifice when they chose to enlist, but often, their eagerness to make a difference does not end when they complete their term. Many look to get involved at a local level, which could make Lions the perfect fit.

Veterans have so much to offer to any organization. They have a strong sense of dedication and commitment, have a keen sense of leadership and know precisely what it means to be a part of a team. That’s why LCI created the Involve a Veteran Program. From now until June 30, 2018, qualifying veterans have the chance to join a Lions club with an entrance or charter fee waiver. Eligible veterans include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard personnel as well as the Canadian Armed Forces who retired or were honorably-discharged from their service. National Guard and Reserve personnel who were called to active duty are also eligible.

When inviting veterans to join your Lions Club, consider trying one of these simple recruiting ideas:

  • Drop off brochures at your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) clubs. You might be surprised to learn how many chapters exist in our state!
  • Exhibit at a local Veteran community event. Be sure to check out the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs Events page and watch your local newspaper.
  • Use the press release template to attract local media attention.
  • Take the opportunity to thank Veterans on your social media pages. Memorial Day would be an excellent day to express your gratitude for their service – you never know who might stumble across your post.
  • Start a new project and invite Veterans to join in on the fun.

It’s not too late! Join the over 700 clubs that have taken advantage of the Involve a Veteran program and give veterans the opportunity to continue serving, as a Lion.

The Lions Pride Office will be closed on Monday, May 28, to honor those who bravely served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice. We’d like to wish you all a fun, safe holiday weekend!

Unique May Holidays Worth Celebrating

27 Thursday Apr 2017

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Although it may be hard to believe, May Chalkboard WritingMay is already right around the corner! By this time next week, we will be a few days into the fifth month of the year. While we are well aware of the traditional holidays such as Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, there are several other official and unofficial fun holidays worth celebrating:

May 1 – May Day

Considered the first unofficial day of summer in many countries around the world, May Day allows friends to get out and celebrate the new season. Learn more about the origins of the holiday.

May 4 – Star Wars Day

A relatively recent holiday created specifically for a play on words, “May the Force (4th) be with you!” Star Wars Day is the perfect excuse to bring out the original trilogy.

May 5 – Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is commonly mistaken for the celebration of Mexican independence (September 16), but in actuality, is the recognized holiday to acknowledge the day when the Mexican army defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo has come to signify Hispanic and Mexican pride as well as a time to celebrate the rich heritage.

May 9 – National Teachers Day

May 9 is the day to celebrate the hardworking, patient and kind people who choose to be teachers. We don’t have to tell you the impact that teachers have on children from kindergarten through college.

May 12 – International Nurses Day

International Nurses Day happens on the last day of National Nurses Week and provides a day to recognize nurses for their commitment to quality healthcare. May 12 was selected as the official date because it’s the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

May 12 – Military Spouses Day

A day to recognize and honor the backbone of the armed forces, Military Spouses Day gives civilians an opportunity to say “thank you” for their sacrifice.

May 13 – Birth Mother’s Day

Birth Mother’s Day is a day to recognize the birth mothers of adopted children. Birth mothers create the holiday to educate, remember and cope.

May 14 – Mother’s Day

May 15 – Police Officer’s Memorial Day (An excellent time to thank your area police officers for a job well done.)

May 16 – Wear Purple for Peace Day

May 18 – International Museum Day

May 19 – National Bike to Work Day (Don’t forget to wear a helmet!)

May 20 – National Armed Forces Day

National Armed Forces Day is a day to celebrate all branches of the United States military, which protects our country and us. Up until 1949, each branch had their own day of celebration.

May 26 – Sally Ride Day

Sally Ride Day honors the first American woman who went into space. On June 18, 1983, Dr. Ride accomplished this challenge aboard STS-7, the second flight of the Space Shuttle “Challenger.” Celebrate her success by learning more about the United States space program.

May 27 – Sunscreen Protection Day

Summertime is almost here – you know what that means? We’ll be seeing our old friend, The Sun, more frequently than we have in recent months. Don’t forget to protect yourself and your loved ones from harmful UV rays with sunscreen on May 27 and every day! Read more about why you should make applying sunscreen part of your daily routine.

May 29 – Memorial Day

Memorial Day, not to be confused with Veteran’s Day, is celebrated on the last Monday of May and commemorates the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the military. Learn more about this important holiday.

As you can see, there’s a lot to celebrate next month! What holiday will you add to your calendar?

Happy May from Lions Pride!