MCG Health System and Augusta Red Cross Team Up for 19th Annual Health Fair

Augusta, Ga. -- MCG Health System and the Augusta Red Cross will once again team up to present the 19th Annual MCG/Red Cross Health Fair. The event will be held in the gymnasium of Abilene Baptist Church (3917 Washington Rd.) on March 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The focus of the event is on family health and wellness. "Both MCG and the Red Cross are devoted to promoting good health and prevention," said Sandy Hobbs, Director of Network Partnerships and Outreach Services at MCG Health System. "This is a wonderful opportunity for families to seek information on a variety of health topics that impact their daily lives."

The event is free and open to the public. More than 30 booths will offer a wealth of information on cancer, stroke, heart health, sports medicine, child safety, senior issues and much more. Medical staff will also be available for specific questions, such as the side effects of medications or how to develop healthy eating habits.

Especially for kids, local puppet troupe Kids on the Block will offer a performance, and demonstrations on "tools of the trade," such as asthma inhalers and peak flow meters, will be held.

Free and low-cost health screenings are also available. Free screenings include vision and glaucoma screenings, bone density measurements, hearing screenings, pulmonary function tests, body fat analysis, blood pressure readings, height and weight measurements and skin cancer/dermatology screenings. More extensive screenings available at a nominal cost include blood chemistry tests, $15; PSA tests, $20; cholesterol screenings, $5; and glucose screenings, $1.

In addition, the American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive during the course of the health fair, and will offer information on how to sign up to be a Red Cross volunteer and how to join their various training classes and services.

"We're very excited to bring this event to the Augusta community," said Neita Mulherin, Volunteer Chairman of the Augusta Red Cross. "Particularly during this uncertain time, it's vitally important for Americans to make voluntary blood donations a priority in their lives."

WRDW/News12 and the Metro Augusta Parent are also sponsors of the event.

MCG Health System is composed of MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia 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.

The American Red Cross is a non-profit, humanitarian volunteer organization, chartered by the United States Congress to prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Augusta Red Cross provides around-the-clock communications for military personnel who are separated from their families. The Augusta Red Cross also provides a comprehensive safety program, offering lifesaving skills in CPR, AED and First Aid.