Celebrate Your Health Fair a success

FALLBROOK — Over 1,500 people attended the fourth annual Celebrate Your Health Fair held on Saturday, March 12, at the Fallbrook Community Center. People of all ages took advantage of the many health screenings and information available at no charge. The screenings included: diabetes, cholesterol, body fat, blood pressure, skin, vision and dental. Over 800 people participated in the screenings and immediate results were provided with information specific to their results! Health professionals and educators were at hand to inform people what the tests meant and what they should do to improve or maintain their health. Twenty-four participants showed elevated glucose studies and were advised to see their healthcare providers. People who did not have a personal physician or medical coverage were directed to organizations at the fair where volunteers assisted them with program information for gaining access to medical care. Bone density studies were a new feature this year, and 129 men and women tested. In addition to the healthcare professionals, there were plenty of volunteers — the AVID teens in orange vests, the Hospital Auxiliary in pink smocks and the Sheriff’s Volunteer Patrol in white shirts. All donated valuable time assisting with various tasks such as directing traffic, helping organization participants in unloading their vehicles, setting up booths, distributing numbers for screenings, serving food, translating, assisting people in locating the services they were interested in and in completing surveys needed in order to enter the prize drawing.

Entertainment for the day included wonderful performances by the Baile Folkloric Esparanza Dancers, the Fallbrook Gymnastics Club, DJ Henry and clown Delores Walker. Children especially enjoyed (over 200 climbers) ascending the rock-climbing wall provided by Moore’s Mountain. The raffle was also very exciting for three lucky children who went home with new bicycles! Other raffle prizes included beautiful gift baskets and gift certificates to local merchants. This annual event is sponsored by the Fallbrook Healthcare District, Fallbrook Hospital, Fallbrook Village Rotary, Fallbrook Pharmacy, Major Market, Fallbrook Village News and San Diego County Parks Department. The weather was cool and cloudy but there was plenty of sunshine and warmth in the people who came together in Fallbrook as participants, healthcare professionals, healthy lifestyle enthusiasts and volunteers to celebrate health. The health fair planning committee has already met to evaluate this year’s event and to focus on plans for the fifth annual Celebrate Your Health Fair next year.