Scouts Also Hold Food Drive at Lutheran Church During Health Fair, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

As an epidemic outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) in California has reached its worst level in 50 years, there is an opportunity this Saturday for children up to 18 years old to receive all their immunizations right here on the mountain.

The Frazier Mountain Health Fair Saturday, Sept. 11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (hosted by the Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church) has invited the San Joaquin Hospital to provide the immunizations, free of charge.

Other Health Fair services include free PSA blood tests (to screen for prostate cancer) to the first 40 men who sign in, free mammograms (by appointment) and stroke screening. Blood sugar tests for diabetes and cholesterol screenings will be offered by the Frazier Mountain Community Health Center. Those who want the most accurate blood panel should not eat for 12 hours before the test (9 p.m. to 9 a.m. for instance, but drink lots of water; black coffee is allowed).

Boy Scout Troop 27 and Girl Scout Troops 281 and 486 will be holding a food drive at the church (6700 Lakewood Drive in Lake of the Woods) during the Health Fair. The public is asked to bring canned food donations “to help the scouts restock our local food pantry.”

Some of the childhood immunizations available include papilloma vaccinations and meningitis immunization for collegebound teens. Work Site Health is offering early flu vaccines for $20. There will also be screening for strokes and bone density.

Already, 80 mammograms have been scheduled, reports Jeanette Tropia (at 661-245-1952). Michelle Husbands of Bakersfield Family Medical Center will be there to do breast exams from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for those who have scheduled mammograms.

“This year the addition of all childhood immunizations was a great contribution by Christina Shultz and Jasmine Wells,” said Militsa Brennan, leader of Girl Scout Troop #281. This is our scouts’ Gold Award project. Their sister girl scouts presented the Health Fair last year.

“The girls have worked really hard on this,” Brennan said proudly.

The South West Health Care District and Mountain Memories Association are the sponsors of this event.

This is part of the September 10, 2010 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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