The doors open at 7 a.m. Saturday for the annual Winnemucca Host Lions Club Community Health Fair, but people will be lining up outside the convention center much earlier than that, according to event chair Patricia Setzer.
"People look forward to this every year," Setzer said.
Last year, the event saw approximately 500 people (300 were tested) and this year Setzer is expecting more.
The health fair, which has been an annual event for over 30 years, provides an opportunity for Humboldt County residents to receive blood screening tests at a low cost and learn about the variety of healthcare options there are in the area.
"It's an opportunity they wouldn't otherwise have," Setzer said. "It also provides them with the opportunity to know how much Winnemucca has to offer."
Aside from the blood screening, Setzer said there will be nearly 50 tables and booths offering information to health fair attendees including: Bengoa Eye Care, Hope Tree grief support group, Sierra Nevada Cancer Center, Winnemucca Domestic Violence Services, a chiropractor and a booth on insurance plans.
Sunny Johnson, Lions Club president, said, "There are lots of booths for people to see what's going on and testing being done at a really nominal fee; it's pretty exciting."
Setzer said the most people can expect to pay at the event is around $50.
"It provides testing for people who might otherwise not be able to afford it," she said.
Five different blood screenings are available this year. According to Nicole Maher, HGH Director of Community Education and Development, a basic blood chemistry test is $25 and a comprehensive blood chemistry panel that offers a complete lipid profile is available for $35. The fair will also offer: a prostate blood test for men, a screening for thyroid disorders and a diabetes screen. Each of those three tests are $20 each.
The event also offers free screenings for blood pressure, pulmonary function, body fat/BMI and vision.
HGH funds the event and charges a minimum fee for their services, according to Setzer.
The event is first come, first served and no appointments are taken. Anyone who wishes to participate in the blood screening must fast for at least eight hours prior to testing (with the exception of water, coffee and medications).
For information on the health fair, contact Setzer at (775) 623-6802 or Maher at (775) 761-2624.
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