The Lions Club of Columbia and the American Diabetes Association are challenging local golfers to spend a day on the links for a good cause at the 11th Annual Golf Classic, organized to raise money for Columbia Lions Club Charities and diabetes, the nation’s fifth leading cause of death by disease.

The Golf Classic, taking place April 1 at the SC Golf Club at Crickentree in Blythewood, is an annual fundraiser for the Lions Club. However, this year the club has teamed up with the American Diabetes Association because of what club members see as an obvious connection in missions.

“The mission of the Lions is to bring sight to the world’s blind,” says Kerry Murphy, president of the Lions Club of Columbia. “Since diabetes complications are a leading cause of blindness, it seemed like a natural fit for us to work together on this event in an effort to raise money and awareness about two important issues.”

More than 300,000 thousand South Carolinians are living with diabetes, according to Keri Bennington, market director for the Columbia office of the American Diabetes Association. “With diabetes growing at near–epidemic proportions, the need for funds for research and programs aimed at preventing diabetes has never been so great.” she added. Each year, more than one million people are diagnosed with diabetes, and this number is expected to rise as our population becomes older, more sedentary and obese.

The 11th Annual Golf Classic raises funds through golf team registration fees and local corporate sponsorships and donations. To register for the Golf Classic, call 803-359-3104 or visit the Tournament website at www.diabetes.org/columbialionsgolf

Since 1917, Lions Clubs have offered people the opportunity to give something back to their communities. From involving members in their local projects or as far–reaching as bringing sight to the world’s blind, Lions Clubs have always embraced those committed to building a brighter future for their community.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the association is a community–based organization that provides services in every region of the country.