Greenville Regional Hospital to Present Health Fair 2008 on Friday, March 14th
Greenville Regional Hospital will present Health Fair 2008 Friday, March 14th from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Greenville First United Methodist Church, located at 310 South Second Street.

Over 40 national, state, and local organizations and exhibitors will be participating. Thirteen free health tests, an optional low-cost comprehensive blood test, a combination comprehensive and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and a wide variety of health information will be available at the health fair. Child care services will be provided by hospital volunteers.

A comprehensive blood test, which includes a complete blood chemistry, a cardiac risk profile, an anemia test, a complete blood count, tests for kidney and liver diseases as well as other illnesses, and a thyroid test, will be offered for $30 at the health fair. The comprehensive blood test normally costs $487, a savings of 94 percent.

Many health fair participants have learned of personal health problems by taking the comprehensive blood test. Several individuals credit the health fair comprehensive blood test with saving their lives by detecting illnesses and diseas¬es the individuals were not aware of.

It is recommended that the comprehensive blood test be taken annually. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to take the blood test offered at the health fair.

A special price of only $40 will be charged for men wanting both the comprehensive blood test and the Prostate-Specific Antigen blood test. This combined test normally costs $595, a savings of 93 percent.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men should receive the PSA test annually, beginning at age 50. Men at high risk, however, should begin testing at age 45. Men at high risk include African Americans and men who have a close relative who had prostate cancer before age 65. Men at even higher risk, or those with several close relatives with prostate cancer at an early age, could begin testing at age 40. Depending on the results of the first tests, they might not need more testing until age 45.

Those planning to have either blood test performed should not eat for at least 12 hours before the test, except for water, black coffee, or plain tea. No diet drinks or juice should be consumed and no chewing gum should be used. Prescribed medication should continue to be taken. Diabetics should follow their normal therapy.

Results of the blood tests will be mailed to each participant in four to six weeks. Last year, a record number of blood tests, approximately 3,500, were drawn in conjunction with the health fair.

Pre-registration for Health Fair 2008 will begin Monday, March 3rd at seven locations throughout Bond County:

March 3rd - Greenville First United Methodist Church, 310 South Second St. - 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 3rd - Greenville First Bank, 200 West Main St. - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
March 3rd & March 7th - National Bank in Keyesport - 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 3rd, 7th & 10th - Pocahontas Village Hall, 101 West Kavenaugh St. - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
March 3rd, 7th & 10th - Mulberry Grove Fire House, 1897 IL Rt. 40 - 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 3rd, 7th & 10th - Sorento Municipal Center, 105 East Taylor St. - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday - Friday (March 3 - 12) - Bond County Senior Center (Greenville) - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

While pre-registration is not a requirement, it is necessary for individuals planning to receive a blood test prior to 2:30 p.m. Those who have not pre-registered for a blood test will be accepted after 2:30 p.m. Those who have not pre-registered, however, may take the free health tests and visit the booths and displays at any time throughout the day.

Greenville Regional Hospital’s annual health fair is one of the largest in the St. Louis area. Last year’s event maintained a record attendance of approximately 3,200 individuals.

Health fair tests conducted free of charge include: cataract screening, hearing, vision, glaucoma, scoliosis, body fat composition screening, pulmonary function, and oral health screening. Video ear inspections and hand grip-strength testing will be performed. Height, weight, and blood pressure readings will also be taken.

Bone density testing will be provided at a cost of $5. In-home colon-rectal hemocult test kits will be offered at the health fair for $4. This test is designed to test for the presence of blood in a stool specimen, which can be an early sign of colon cancer or other diseases. Individuals over 40 years should conduct the test annually, or as often as recommended by a physician.

Other information and services provided during Health Fair 2008 include free child-safety gun locks and child fingerprinting, performed by the Greenville Police Department; free therapeutic shoulder mini-massages; the collection of used cell phones to benefit the Phoenix Crisis Center; the collection of used eye glasses for the Greenville Lions Club; information on living wills and durable power of attorney for health care, presented by representatives of Greenville Regional Hospital and Fair Oaks; and a demonstration of the Lifeline In-Home Emergency Response Sytem, also provided by Greenville Regional Hospital.