Serving the needs of Salida, Saguache, and Coaldale Colorado

Salida Family Practice Clinic News

The 29th Annual 9 Health Fair will be held April 12 - 20 throughout the state of Colorado, with local fairs scheduled for Salida, Cotopaxi, Saguache, and Buena Vista.

The Area Agency on Aging's Well Over 60 Health Education and Exercise Program, in partnership with 9Health Fair, has a limited number of discounted (half-price) vouchers available for Salida, Buena Vista and Cotopaxi for the blood screening tests. Persons age 60 and older are eligible for these vouchers, with priority given to the low-income, frail and elderly.

For the low-income, it will be possible to combine two vouchers so the test will be completely free.

Vouchers will be distributed while supplies last. To apply or for more information call Area Agency on Aging toll free at 1-877-610-3341.

Salida's Fair is from 6:30 a.m. to noon at the Salida Middle School with pre-registration from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16 and 17 at the Masonic Lodge, 140 W. Third St. in Salida..

The Buena Vista Fair is from 7 am. to noon Saturday, April 12 at McGinnis Middle School, Railroad and Marquette Streets.

The Cotopaxi Schoool 9Health Fair is from 7 a.m. to noon Friday, April 18 at the Cotopaxi School, 345 County Road 12 in Cotopaxi. There is no pre-registration. This fair is held in conjunction with Salida Family Medicine and Pleasant Valley Health Center in Coaldale.

Saguache is also having a 9Health Fair in conjunction with Salida Family Medicine from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 12 at Mountain Valley School. There is no pre-registration.

Salida's fair this year is limited to the blood draw and PSA (Prostate Specific Antigens) for men over 40.

"Because of the move to the new hospital on April 1 we are unable to offer all of the screenings we did in the past," said Lisa Glenn, medical coordinator. "Next year we plan to reinstate all of the screenings and we thank the community for being patient during this time. Thanks also to the middle school for providing the site which offers a perfect layout for the 9Health Fair."

Salidans who wish to take advantage of the free screenings are welcome to participate in the 9Health Fairs in the other locations.

Cost for the blood chemistry (at all locations) which measures 31 components is $30. Men over 40 can have the PSA screening for an additional $25.

There are no colorectal kits this year at any of the local sites. Several false positives have been reported with the previously used kits so this year new Fecal Immunochemical Tests will be used in only a few select locations. If consistent results are obtained, the new tests will be available at all sites in 2009.

"As always, we want people to know that the 9Health Fair is not a substitute for a doctor," Glenn said. "We want participants in the fairs to make an appointment with their doctor and discuss their reports and not just drop off the report at the doctor's office."

This year, to make processing easier for pre-paid participants, they will enter at the left side of the middle school while those who have not pre-paid in advance will enter at the right side of the building.

Volunteers are still needed to draw blood and should contact Joan or Mike at the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center lab at 530-8216 or after April 1, at 530-2260.

Volunteers are also needed to help with pre-registration and to take money the day of the fair. Anyone interested in helping with those jobs can call Lisa Glenn at 539-8256 or after April 1 at 530-2281.

Glenn is medical coordinator of the Salida Fair with Kate Mixdorf as site coordinator, Mike Becker, Joan Ranck and Kristen Holm lab coordinators; Joan Michaud, public relations: the Salida Lions Club in charge of registration and taking money, the HRRMC Hospital Auxiliary assisting with pre-registration and providing food for volunteers and Salida Rotary Club providing traffic control at the middle school.

The Cotopaxi 9Health Fair is at a new location this year, but with the same offerings. Rickie Redlands of Salida Family Medicine and Pleasant Valley Health Center, is the site coordinator. The fair was previously held at the Pleasant Valley Health Clinic.

"We're offering blood chemistry and PSA tests along with body in balance testing, lung capacity, oral hygiene and an optometrist for basic eye screening," Redlands said. "However, we will not be doing the cardiac risk and osteoporosis test at Cotopaxi this year because no one was available for those tests."

Redlands is also site coordinator for the Saguache fair which will offer blood chemistry and PSA screenings, oral screening with a dental hygienist, osteoporosis screening, lung capacity, cardiac risk assessment, body in balance screening and skin screening. There will also be other booths from the community featuring health related vendors.

Those planning to have the blood chemistry screening should fast for 12 hours, taking nothing after midnight with the exception of medication which is permitted. Water is also okay. Diabetics should not fast.

For more information on 9Health Fairs check the website at www.9HealthFair.org.