ISU Health Fair soliciting volunteers, learning centers

The Idaho State University Health Fair 2008 – celebrating its 27th year – is set from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 20 and 21, and organizers are looking for volunteers and private and public health enterprises to set up learning centers.

This year laboratory services will be provided by Portneuf Medical Center (PMC).  Blood draws will be available on a walk-in basis from 7 a.m. to 11 am, Monday through Friday beginning March 3 through March 28 at both the East and West PMC lab locations.  The PMC East lab is located at 777 Hospital Way with access to the lab through the main entrance. West Campus PMC lab draws will be at the Main Lab, 651 Memorial Drive. Access is on the ground floor (level 6 of the parking garage elevator). Parking is available in the parking garage.

PMC 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 $10 confidential HIV screening and a $12 prostate antigen test.  Other tests that will be offered this year include thyroid function screen for $15, iron level for $5, uric acid level for $5, glycohemaglobin for $20 and insulin level for $25.   

Participants through March 17 can then pick up their blood profile results at the ISU Health Fair where health-care professionals can help interpret results. Blood draws will also be available at the Health Fair and the results of blood draws done at the Health Fair and at PMC through March 28 will be mailed to participants. A 14-hour fast is required prior to a blood draw for the chemistry profile.

Last year’s Health Fair featured dozens of learning centers, providing services to hundreds of participants.

“The health fair continues to expand every year and 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 the Health Fair Hotline at 282-3107.