2014 Community Health Fair set for Oct. 4

Southwest Medical Center has announced the 2014 Community Health Fair will take place from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Seward County Activity Center in Liberal.

This annual event features a series of lab tests, including a comprehensive metabolic profile, lipid profile, thyroid screen and a complete blood count at a cost of $35 per person. For an additional $5, men can add PSA (prostate specific antigen) testing, which is recommended for men age 40 and older to test for signs of prostate cancer. Women may have a CEA (carcinoembryogenic antigen) screen for an additional $5 to test for certain types of cancer. An HGB A1C (glycated hemoglobin) test is also available for $5 to help monitor long-term glucose control.

In addition to these tests, clinical breast exams, spirometry testing, pulse oximetry testing and blood pressure measurements will be offered free of charge at other Southwest Medical Center booths. Free screenings offered by the Lion’s Club mobile screening unit will include visual acuity/vision screens, field of vision tests, blood pressure, blood sugar, and hearing tests.

More than 50 booths focused on health and wellness will also be set up to provide information about their organization, products or services. The Seward County Health Department is returning to the fair this year and will offer influenza vaccines for a special $25 discounted price at their booth.

Whirlwind Career and Counseling Services will cover the exam and influenza vaccine costs for veterans and offer a free lunch for veterans from noon to 1 p.m. at the Activity Center. Those veterans interested in attending the fair may contact Ed Poley at (620) 482-3431 for more information. Veterans are encouraged to bring their military I.D.

Several businesses, including Southwind Inn, Hatcher Land & Cattle, First National Bank, Conestoga Energy, The Community Bank, Black Hills Energy, National Beef, ARSI, Hay, Rice & Associates, Southern Pioneer Electric, The Midland Group, and Southwest Medical Center, have contributed to this community event so far to help SWMC offer these important health screenings at a low cost.

“Once again, this event has gained the support of many local businesses and organizations in our community who value the service this event provides for residents in our area who are focused on investing in their health,” Southwest Medical Center’s Marketing and Development Director Keeley Moree said. “These preventative screenings have helped many people identify how to better care for themselves and each other, and that’s something that our community can really celebrate. “

Admission to the fair is free for the general public. All visitors interested in having the above lab tests done at the health fair should plan to fast for at least eight hours prior to testing. Concessions will be available at the Activity Center.

For more information about attending or contributing to the 2014 Community Health Fair, please contact Keeley Moree at (620) 629-6335 or Melissa Helsel at (620) 629-6424.