Fair in time for bloodletting
by Gala Trimble, Reporter

   This Halloween, Count Dracula will be scaring up business for Carter Blood Care at the NE Campus Health Fair.
   Students, faculty, employees and members of the community may donate blood and get a free cholesterol screening.
   In an article in the Oct. 4, 2000, Collegian, Tiffany Davis reported that, according to statistics received from Carter    Blood Care, only 5 percent of eligible U.S. citizens actually donate blood, but this small percentage must support an entire population.
   According to information on the Carter Blood Care Web site, this statistic holds true today.
   Located in the Center Corner at the Student Center and open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, the fair will offer a great variety of other activities, also.
   Following closely on the heels of the Center for Disease Control’s National Adult Immunization Awareness Week, the health fair will make available many vaccinations recommended for adults by the CDC.
   Important for this cold and flu season, the influenza vaccine will be offered for $15, and pneumonia vaccine will be $25.    The CDC recommends a new flu shot each year because new strains develop.
   The pneumococcal, or pneumonia, vaccine is recommended for persons with any of a long list of medical conditions, as well as medical trainees and professionals and anyone over the age of 50.
   Details are available at www.cdc.gov/nip.
   It is also very important to the control of communicable diseases like the flu, colds and other viruses that people practice good hand washing habits, especially on school campuses, hospitals, restaurants and other high-traffic areas, a nurse at NE health services said.
   Tetanus shots will be offered for $15 and are good for five to 10 years.
   For those who need them, the meningococcal, hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines will also be available.
   It is important that anyone interested in participating in these opportunities call 817-515-6222 for an appointment.
   This call will serve as a reservation and will ensure that adequate supplies and enough personnel to administer them are on hand.
   Also during the fair, individuals interested in becoming bone marrow donors may join a national bone marrow data bank after being screened.
   Dental hygiene students will be available to check those pearly whites and gums for problems that require the attention of a dentist, and respiratory therapy students will administer pulmonary function tests.
   For athletes and those who wish they were, the physical education department will offer testing for flexibility, strength and body fat. HIV testing will also be available.