FERNDALE – The fifth annual Health Fair at Affirmations was a huge hit last Saturday. Sponsored by Project Healthy Living, the fair gave participants an opportunity to receive an array of free or very low cost health services and screening tests. According to Knoll Larkin, Affirmations health services coordinator, about 250 folks visited the fair, with 75 receiving health screenings. In addition, 30 non-profit agencies participated and set up booths.
"We had really good representation," Larkin said. "We had some local agencies, like the Social Security Administration, Ferndale Senior Services. We also had Karmanos Cancer Institute, a lot of recovery type groups, like Together We Can, the Brighton Hospital substance abuse treatment facility. And of course the Midwest AIDS Prevention Project, AIDS Partnership Michigan and Transgender Michigan were there."
Folks who attended had the opportunity to undergo hearing and vision tests, dental and depression screenings, blood panels, glucose checks and more. Podiatry screenings, which made their debut at this year's fair, were also a big hit.
The event was one of the first to take place in the new Affirmations building, and the fair spread out throughout the center, including in the community room and gallery.
"It was great just to be able to offer such a nice place for people to come and receive the screenings and health information," Larkin said. "The atmosphere was more inviting overall. We had a lot of folks come in from off the street that weren't even aware of the festival that came in and participated."
Larkin acknowledged the contribution of the more than 40 volunteers who ensured that the day ran smoothly.
"It would never be possible without all the volunteers, medical and non medical volunteers," he said. "We had a lot of students from Wayne State School of Medicine and Oakland University's Nursing Program. One of things I read on a lot of the comment cards was how energetic, kind, welcoming and friendly the volunteers were. That's always nice to hear."
Fifth annual health fair a huge success
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