By Lyndsie Ferrell
CREEDE—Several participants showed up Saturday for the annual Creede Health Fair in partnership with Western Health Screening. The Creede School was filled with booths scattered all over the building, offering low cost healthcare services to the public.
Services for the event included cholesterol lipid panels, iron ferritin and 32 organ function screenings. There were also other services that included comprehensive depression and energy level screenings, vitamin D level screening and more. One station offered stress relief toys and handouts describing easy, everyday stress relieving techniques.
The booth provided information on the little things people can do on a daily basis that can help relieve stress, like focusing on success rather than failure and setting realistic goals for the future. The stress relief booth was only one of many that included free services or resources to participants.
Another booth that was sponsored by the Silver Thread Public Health District asked participants to sign up in case there was an emergency in the area that would leave them without life-saving devices, such as oxygen or other equipment needed to survive. Public health officials asked that anyone in need of health/medical equipment that is necessary to sustain life sign up so that they could provide those services should a catastrophic event occur.
Representatives with the Virginia Christensen Multi-use facility, also known as they Old Gym were available to answer questions and offer a list of activities and services offered through the facility. Brochures handed out at the booth included a free day pass to the gym and a 20 percent discount on a gym membership.
A blood drive was offered to volunteers and participants, who lined up down the hallway and awaited their turn to donate blood. Local EMS Director Don Dustin was one of many volunteers that helped with the blood draw and remained busy the entire morning.
Overall the morning was a huge success and enjoyed by those participating. A huge thank you goes out to all the volunteers who dedicated their time for the event.