SE fair to offer health services
by Brian Shults, se news editor

    A broad variety of affordable medical services for students and community members, as well as a blood drive to benefit the DFW area, will be part of SE Campus’ Annual Health Fair Wednesday, Oct. 31.

    The medical services include flu immunizations, vision screening, nutrition information, mammograms and free diabetes screenings.

    In addition to the fair is a Cultural Awareness/Accessibility to Health and Disability Services in the College and Community luncheon with local medical professionals speaking about the region’s current health issues.

    “The speakers will bring about an awareness concerning nontraditional and unique cultural ways of medical treatment,” Victoria Warrior, coordinator of SE health services and the fair, said.

    The Annual Health Fair will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Main Commons.

    SE Campus is expecting a generous turnout for blood donations because of America’s recent tragedy, Warrior said.

    Carter Bloodcare is conducting the drive. The organization depends on 800 donations a day in order to provide for the Metroplex, Jenny Nelson, spokeswoman for Carter, said.

    “There has been an outpouring of support following the tragedy. Between Sept. 11 and 23, Carter received 16,000 donations. The first day after the attacks, we had 3,500 donations, which is nearly five times our normal intake. We had the same number of staff as usual working until the next morning to get blood from everyone.

    “It was inspiring to see the community come together, showing a solid unity between Americans. It was an excellent display of altruism, which provided a staunch and robust supply of blood,” she said.

    Nelson stressed the ongoing need for donors for all varieties of patients including cancer patients, hemophiliacs, premature infants and victims of emergency crisis.

    “Americans should donate on a continuous basis before a tragedy occurs,” she said.

    And by some miraculous role of the dice, that is exactly what Texans and Carter Bloodcare did.

    “On Sept. 7 Carter sent New York City fresh plasma from North Texas donors because we received such an ample supply. The recent donations were there for New York hospitals just in time,” she said.

    The donations to be received from TCC will be distributed among the 243 healthcare facilities in the DFW area to replenish local supplies, Nelson said.

    “Carter is hoping for at least 80 whole blood (standard) donations and 12 double red cell (specifically targets red cells) donations,” Rhonda Cantrell, Carter spokeswoman, said.

    The fair will also offer flu and pneumonia immunizations. Any person who wants a flu shot must sign a release form prior to Monday, Oct. 29, in C204.

    The immunizations are $15 for the flu and $25 for pneumonia, provided for by AGAPE.

    Early bird prices of $10 flu and $15 pneumonia will be offered Tuesday, Oct. 30, 1-7 p.m. in the Commons, provided by Huguley Hospital Mobile Unit Staff.

    Last year the number of obtainable flu immunizations fell short of the demand. The shortage left many Texans vulnerable and susceptible to the flu during the winter. This year, however, there will be ample availability, but interested persons should get one as soon as possible, Phyllis McGraw, coordinator of immunization at AGAPE, said.

    “The viruses that cause flu frequently change, so people who have been infected or given a flu shot in previous years may become infected with a new strain,” she said.

    The 2001 immunization includes the two most common strains from the previous year and a new one expected to hit the Metroplex this winter. Local health officials calculated which flues have the highest percentage of reaching the area and from that list selected the strains New Calendula, Panama and Victoria for immunization, McGraw said.

    “Protection from the virus will likely last one year and usually has minimal or no side effects,” she said.

    Other services accessible are a vision screening provided by Prevent Blindness, Nutrition Information by TCC, free diabetes screenings by Southwestern Medical Center and mammograms by Harris Methodist Mobile Unit.

    “The mobile unit mammograms are $68, take only 15 minutes and have absolute privacy for patients,” Warrior said.

    At noon in the North Ballroom, the luncheon will feature Dr. Wendy Colini, a family practice physician in Mansfield and expert on women’s illnesses; Marc Harrison, executive director of Urban-Intertribal Center of Texas, and Dr. Basheer Ahmed, chairman of Muslim Community Center for Human Services.

    The guest speakers plan to conduct a discussion on regional multicultural medical issues.

    Recently, Ahmed led an Ar-lington citywide health fair.

The fair focused on the best possible treatments for Muslims and Arabic immigrants.

    The event had over 400 attendees including Elzie Odum, mayor of Arlington, and Warrior.

    Warrior met Ahmed at the fair and subsequently asked him to speak at the SE Campus Annual Health Fair.

    “I would like to make all people aware that during the early stages of health problems, some symptoms may not be apparent. It is important to know how to recognize and prevent these illnesses,” Ahmed said.

    Ahmed’s clinic provides free medical care to all, but primarily focuses on Muslim Arab immigrants who may feel more comfortable in a familiar cultural atmosphere and language, he said.

    The clinic has been serving the public for two years and is successfully expanding its services, Ahmed said.

    For more information concerning the health fair, contact Warrior at 817-515-3594.