WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsLancaster man on a mission of diabetes awareness
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LANCASTER (WKOW) -- A Lancaster man who knows all too well what it is like to have diabetes is on a mission to let others know the consequences of the disease.
Ray Ropers' volunteer efforts make him this month's Jefferson award recipient and 'Someone You Should Know.'
Ray Ropers is among a growing number of people who live with the daily challenge of keeping their diabetes in check.
"I've had it for about 45 years, type 2," said Ray Ropers.
According to the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin and the state's Lions Foundation, just from 2005 to 2008, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes increased by 27%.
The report found that one in five people in Wisconsin are either pre-diabetic or have diabetes.
"Diabetes is the number one cause of chronic kidney disease, the number one cause of loss of vision of adults 21 to 72 I believe it is," said Ray.
Ray is a 40 year member of the Lions Club.
"Their motto is we serve and I think it's important for people to give back to the community," said Ray.
He's used that commitment to service to spread awareness about diabetes, around the country and even the world.
Since the 90's, Ray has volunteered countless hours. From helping to start a support group, to coordinating the production of educational DVDs about the effects of diabetes and the consequences if left unmanaged.
"We would like to think that after people have seen the consequence of blindness that perhaps they will work a little extra each day to manage their diabetes," said Ray.
Just released this week, Ray's latest collaboration: The Links to Chronic Kidney Disease.
"There are over 1,700 people on a waiting list for a kidney transplant and many of those will never have a kidney transplant in their lifetime," sad Ray.
Ray says he will continue to help get the message out about diabetes as long as he can. He lives by a Martin Luther King quote.
"It goes something like: Life begins to end when you fail to do something about things that matter. I'm too young for life to end," said Ray.
To learn more about diabetes and the Wisconsin Lions Foundation's efforts visit:
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