10/4/07
Taw Caw Health Fair draws a crowd for free health screenings
By Eric Goold
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Deloris Pringle of the Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church and Taw Caw Community Outreach Center Chairman Lawrence Hammett at the Taw Caw Health Fair last Saturday in Summerton. This was the second year for this annual event. |
The Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church in Summerton was overflowing with people on Saturday morning as the crowds came out for the 2nd Annual Health Fair sponsored by the Taw Caw Community Outreach Center.
On hand were medical technicians offering free screenings for anyone who wanted one.
Assessments included breast and prostate exams, blood pressure and cholesterol tests, pediatric exams, diabetes testing and determinations of weight and body mass index.
All screenings were free of charge.
“This is the second year of our annual Health Fair,” said Lawrence Hammett, Chairperson of the Taw Caw Community Outreach Center. “We try to help the community with free medical services for whoever might need them. We want to help people in rural areas that maybe might not have access to health services otherwise.”
Participating in the screenings were health professionals including nurses, community health nurses, health educators, a nutritionist and health technicians, all of whom generously donated their time and services for the Health Fair.
Black River Health Care also had a team of doctors available.
“We owe a special thanks to Deloris Pringle of the Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church,” said Hammett. “She’s helped us get the word out and she’s worked very well with us.”
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A dentist performs a dental exam on a patient in the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures van at the Taw Caw Health Fair. The van traveled from Charlotte for the event. |
Pringle said that the Health Fair is just the beginning of the health efforts at Taw Caw.
“We really try to focus on rural health issues,” said Pringle. “Our next step is to have an ongoing diabetes awareness class. It will be a diabetes clinic emphasizing maintenance and prevention of diabetes.”
Sessions at the Health Fair included the basics of diabetes and sessions on health promotion and diseases prevention.
A real special aspect of the Health Fair was the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures van in the parking lot of the church.
Inside the large van were a dentist and dentist technician who offered all children free dental checkups. While children waited to see the dentist, and perhaps to help them ease their fears a little bit, they were entertained with movies in the van.
The Colgate van came all the way from Charlotte just to be part of the Health Fair. The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program is based in Charlotte and offers free dental checkups for children all throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and lower Virginia.
“We’re so delighted to have them here,” said Pringle. “Dental health is so important for these children.” |
