"The Club That Fights Diabetes"
About the I80 Cosmopolitan Club
Who Are We?
The Omaha I-80 Cosmopolitan Club is one of 70 chapters of the Cosmopolitan International Club headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. Founded in 1918, Cosmopolitan International has become known as “the Club that fights diabetes”. Today 2300 members in clubs across the United States, Canada and Mexico are pledged to provide funding and support for basic and applied diabetes research. Over the years Cosmos have raised millions of dollars in the fight against this disease which affects almost 18 million people and their families in the United States and Canada. The universal goal of Cosmopolitans is to eradicate this life threatening disease within our lifetimes.
I-80 was chartered in 1975 and is one of the largest and most active clubs in the entire Cosmopolitan organization. Through attendance at our weekly breakfast meetings, monthly social activities and ongoing fundraising and public service events, I-80 members enjoy the opportunity to meet new people and develop long-lasting friendships with those who share similar interests.
Unity, Service, Action…and fun...that just about tells the story of the Omaha I-80 Cosmopolitan Club.
Why Join Cosmopolitan Club?
Time is a precious commodity for people today with many competing priorities. I-80 Cosmopolitan offers members a huge return on their investment of time. You’ll enjoy developing new and lasting friendships and business contacts while you work in UNITY for the benefit of the Omaha community and your country. Known as ‘the club that fights diabetes’, I-80 Cosmopolitans focus their SERVICE on preventing, treating and curing the diabetes that touches the lives of many thousands of people…maybe even someone you know. I-80 Cosmopolitan includes a cross-section of members from business and the community which enables the club to take ACTION. You’ll be able to participate in a broad range of community service and fundraising projects and have fun…all at the same time. You will soon value and utilize the personal leadership skills you’ll develop as a member of Cosmopolitan.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a severe life threatening disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into the energy needed for daily life. People with diabetes either produce too little insulin or are unable to use insulin effectively, resulting in an abnormally high concentration of sugar in the blood.
The disease affects almost 18 million people and their families in just the United States and Canada alone. Diabetes can cause serious complications such as blindness, amputations and nerve, kidney and heart disease. Economically, recent figures show diabetes costs Americans an estimated $98,000,000,000 a year…that’s $98 Billion!
To avoid serious complications, persons with diabetes must constantly test and monitor their glucose levels and make immediate lifestyle changes including planned nutritious meals, an exercise program and in some cases, self administered insulin injections.