LEAP Alliance Las Vegas Copyright 2009

SENATOR STEVEN HORSFORD APPLAUDS THE LEAP ALLIANCE and
SUMMERLIN LIONS CLUB PARTNERSHIP

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- While visiting the annual health fair at the Doolittle Community Center Health Fair, Nevada Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford expressed his enthusiastic support for a Las Vegas Summerlin Lions Club and Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP) Alliance partnership aimed at preventing foot and leg amputations in diabetics.

The not-for-profit LEAP Alliance promotes diabetic foot screening programs to detect potentially hazardous foot problems that, without medical care, can lead to foot and leg amputations. Lion Lawrence M. Rubin (above, right), and Lion Leonard Franklin (above, left), both podiatrists who are Summerlin Lions, are spearheading the partnership. Rubin serves as director of the LEAP Alliance; Franklin serves as the LEAP Alliance programs coordinator.

Both Lions Clubs International and the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM), an affiliate organization of the American Podiatric Medical Association, have also applauded the LEAP Alliance and Las Vegas Summerlin Lions Club's partnership. They have expressed interest in developing a collaboration that would expand the foot screening program through a network of Lions Clubs and participating AAPPM member podiatrists throughout the country.   
 
LEAP Alliance podiatrists and other Summerlin Lions Club health professionals train and supervise members who volunteer to perform free diabetic foot screenings at community health fairs and other wellness events. Members do not need a medical background to learn the noninvasive foot screening procedure. It is a simple test for loss of skin sensation which may be caused by undiagnosed diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).  DPN is the leading cause of serious foot and leg complications and amputations in diabetics.

Screened persons found to have possible DPN or other potentially hazardous foot problems are advised to have a follow up foot examination by their podiatrist or other qualified physician. Early detection and prompt treatment of DPN and any coexisting foot problems can prevent diabetic skin sores (ulcers) and infections that can lead to amputations.

The LEAP Alliance and Summerlin Lions’ are now expanding their diabetic foot screening program by training members of other Nevada Lions Clubs to participate in an amputation-prevention program named: “Nevada Lions Hunt for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.”

News & Views
Foot screenings are brief foot exams for adult persons with Type 2 Diabetes to identify circulatory problems, diabetic neuropathy, and other conditions that can lead to severe lower extremity complications and amputations.
Bare Your Soles
Take advantage of the
Free Diabetes
Foot Screening Program
​provided in cooperation with the Nevada Lions Clubs
Lions Hunt for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) Free Foot Screening Program

Las Vegas & Henderson Nevada