The health fair is planned for April 28

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Along with blooming trees, pollen-dusted cars and sunny days, add Sandhills Regional Medical Center’s health fair to the vernal signs of spring.

The health fair is planned for Saturday, April 28, from 8 a.m. until noon at the hospital where dozens of screenings will be offered for free.

“By offering these free and reduced-cost screenings, patients may learn of health risks that can be addressed early,” said Kimberly Harrington, Sandhills Regional’s marketing director.

Last year, a man came in during the pre-draw period and got his blood work done. By the end of the day, he was contacted by his doctor’s office to make an appointment due to alarming results from his PSA (prostate) blood test, Harrington said.

“Actions – and reactions – like those make health fair screenings worth the time and effort,” Harrington said. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone, not just those without health insurance.”

Blood profiles that test cholesterol, triglyceride and thyroid levels will be available for only $15. Ordinarily, this would cost more than $800.

For an additional $5, participants can get a Hemoglobin A1C test. This is a standard tool used to determine blood sugar control for diabetics, and also used to screen and diagnose diabetes.

Prostate screenings (PSA) for men will be an additional $10. This test helps diagnose prostate cancer in men.

Those interested in getting their blood work done early so that results will be available on the day of the health fair, can do so on the following pre-draw dates:

• Monday-Thursday, April 16-19 from 7:30 to 11 a.m.; and

• Monday, April 23 from 7:30 to 11 a.m.

Please do not eat or drink anything eight hours prior to getting your blood work done.

Registration will be in the front lobby on a first come, first served basis. Checks and cash accepted. No credit cards.

Physicians will be available at the health fair to go over lab results of those who took advantage of the pre-draws.

For those getting blood work done on the day of the health fair, the results will be sent to the patient as well as a copy sent to the patient’s primary care physician.

Free screenings will include:

• EKG

• Urinalysis

• Bone density

• Hearing

• Visual acuity and glaucoma

• Colon/rectal cancer risk assessment

• Acute coronary syndrome risk assessment

• Skin evaluations/skin cancer

• Wound care

• Breast, hernias and gallbladder

• Height and weight

• Blood pressure

For information about the health fair, or if any agency, civic group or vendor is interested in participating, call Kimberly Harrington at (910) 205-8121 or email kim.harrington@hma.com