Annual Women 4 Wellness health fair to be held May 14
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PABLO — Many women wait all year for the Women 4 Wellness 7th annual health fair, and the time has come. It’s scheduled for Thursday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center.
To avoid waiting in line to enter, participants may preregister online at prevention.skc.edu until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13. Folks may also register when they come to the event.
“Three or four years ago, the line wrapped around the college and out to the highway,” co-chair Eleanor Vizcarra said. “The online pre-registration has helped tremendously to bring people in right away and begin testing.”
Each year 40 percent of attendees are new to the event, according to Vizcarra, who co-chairs with Niki Graham.
On Thursday organizers are expecting at least 2,000 people to attend for the multiple free screenings offered by Mission Valley providers, which include:
• A full body, bone density Dexa scan, plus heel bone density screening
• Mammograms and manual breast exams, or vouchers for those that need a mammogram later
• Cervical screens
• HIV, STD and STI testing
• EKG testing and an on-site, immediate consultation with a doctor to read it
• Full body skin exams
• Hearing screening with audiologist
• Glucose checking
• Complete blood count test (CBC)
• Comprehensive metabolic panel
• Mental health consultations
• Thyroid stimulating hormone test
“Ninety percent of people affected with thyroid issues are women,” Vizcarra said.
Also included for the first time this year is adult immunizations, including a shingles shot, and glaucoma testing.
Because nearly 100 men attended last year, Women 4 Wellness is adding a voucher for PSA (prostrate) and cholesterol testing for males.
“By offering health screens and education for women and men about health prevention … I take comfort in helping our communities to be well,” Vizcarra said. “Not only have we seen really good results, but we were able to find cancer, heart disease, and help people in mental health immediately, that day. We’ve saved some lives.”
When diseases are diagnosed at the fair, Vizcarra stays in contact with the patient throughout the year to make sure they get necessary follow-up exams and procedures. Women 4 Wellness may also pay for some additional diagnostic testing if needed.
