NIAGARA, Wis. — Diabetes Alert Day, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, happens every fourth Tuesday in March.

It is a one-day “wake-up call” asking the American public take a diabetes risk test, available online, to find out if they might potentially develop type 2 diabetes.

This serious condition is on the rise. The Wisconsin Lions Foundation and local Lions and Lioness Clubs are promoting Diabetes Alert Day throughout the state.

As part of this effort, Niagara Lions Club will sponsor information handouts that describe the effects of diabetes and how it can be controlled.

They will also encourage people to take the diabetes risk test at www.stopdiabetes.com/get-the-facts-risk-test.html or see their medical provider to be assessed on whether they could be in danger from the disease.

For Diabetes Alert Day on Tuesday, Niagara Lions will distribute diabetes brochures from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Forward Financial Credit Union offices in Niagara and Iron Mountain.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 30 million people– one in 10 — in the United States have diabetes.

While roughly 23 million already have been diagnosed with diabetes, another 84.1 million have prediabetes. An estimated 1 in 4 people don’t know they have the disease, according to the CDC.

The estimated direct and indirect costs for this disease is a hefty $245 billion. It is considered the seventh-leading cause of death in the U.S.

“Remember that the earlier diabetes is detected, the easier it is to control diabetes,” said Kerry Grippen, Niagara Lions Club member.