HEALTH FAIR TO FOCUS ON FAMILY WELLNESS

February 28, 2002

Augusta, Ga. -- MCG Health System, the American Red Cross of Augusta and WRDW/News 12 will celebrate family health at the 18th annual Family Health Fair, Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Gymnasium, 3500 Walton Way.

"Prevention is the greatest cure, and this event focuses on preventing diseases through screenings that detect potential health risks," said Angela Jerzak, MCG Marketing Manager and lead coordinator for the event. "We are excited about the health fair and the wealth of information being made available. We encourage all Augustans to take advantage of this opportunity," Ms. Jerzak said.

Free screenings will include blood pressure, and vision and hearing screenings and bone density checks. More extensive screenings will be available for a nominal cost, and include a complete blood profile for $15, screening for prostate cancer for $20, cholesterol screening for $5 and diabetes screening for $1.

A wealth of information will be available for participants including information about safety and CPR, sickle cell anemia, tissue donation, cancer, stroke, heart health and much, much more. There will also be activities and demonstrations for the whole family. The Wacky House of Hazards provided by SAFE KIDS will teach parents and kids about the dangers lurking in their homes. The American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive.

The Augusta Red Cross provides health and safety training to the community, including CPR, First Aid, lifeguarding, and HIV/AIDS education. Fees for safety courses are used to provide Red Cross services to the local community.

Since September 11 the Augusta Red Cross has served the local community by ...

• helping more than 70 families get back on their feet after being devastated by disaster.
• teaching 30 disaster training classes, issuing more than 700 certificates
• certifying more than 900 citizens in lifesaving skills.
• communicating more than 900 Armed Forces Emergency messages.

The American Red Cross is a non-profit humanitarian organization and revenues generated from Red Cross Health and Safety classes are used to support local Red Cross programs and services.

MCG HealthCare is the health system of the Medical College of Georgia and is comprised of MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the School of Medicine and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Hospitals and Clinics, Children's Medical Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by offering the highest level of primary and specialty health care.

For more information, contact:
Deborah Humphrey
Director of Public Relations
MCG HealthCare
(706) 721-9177