ISU Health Fair ’07 to mark 26th year in March

The Idaho State University Health Fair 2007 – celebrating its 26th year – is set from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 22 and 23, and organizers are looking for volunteers and private and public-health enterprises to set up learning centers. For the second year, Laboratory Corporation of America (232-6740) will offer blood draws prior to the Health Fair, for the entire month of March, at their office in Suite 401 at 444 Hospital Way in Pocatello.

Blood draws will be available on a walk-in basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. New this year, the blood draws will also be available during the same dates listed above to ISU faculty, students and staff in Idaho Falls at Lab Corp’s Idaho Falls Office at 290 E. 25th St. Participants can then pick up the results of their chemistry blood profile at the ISU Health Fair where health-care professionals can help interpret results. Blood draws will still be available at the Health Fair as well, and the results of blood draws done at the Health Fair will be mailed to participants.

A 14-hour fast is required prior to a blood draw for the chemistry profile. Laboratory Corporation of America offers the blood chemistry profile for $25. The screening will include assessments for cardiac risk based on cholesterol levels, a complete blood count, and a thyroid screen. Optional tests include a $12 confidential HIV screening and a $15 prostate antigen test. Last year’s Health Fair featured dozens of learning centers, providing services to hundreds of participants.

     “We’re looking for professional and nonprofessional volunteers to assist in a wide variety of health-fair tasks, such as registering attendees, handling fair surveys and door prizes, and helping attendees find needed information and services,” said fair co-coordinator Dr. Nancy Renn, ISU assistant professor of nursing.

    The fair will be in the ISU Pond Student Union Building Ballroom.

     For more information on learning centers or to volunteer, contact Renn, 282-3829, or Dr. Diana McLaughlin, 282-2152.