On March 23, Iola Lions will be handing out Diabetes Awareness brochures while bagging groceries at Iola Sentry Foods.

According to the CDC, almost 29.1 million people in the United States have diabetes, or 9.3 percent of the population. While an estimated 21 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, one-fourth are unaware they have the disease. The estimated total direct and indirect cost of this disease is $176 billion.

Diabetes Alert Day, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, is held every fourth Tuesday in March. Because this disease is increasing by large numbers yearly, the Wisconsin Lions Foundation and local Lions clubs are promoting Diabetes Alert Day throughout Wisconsin.