Blackburn Community Health Center to host free health fair on Saturday, July 12
June 20, 2008
Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: 317-630-7808
Pager: 317-310-5972
As summer heats up, children will soon be preparing for the start of the school year. With the school year approaching, it is important for children to have regular medical checkups and screenings.
On Saturday, July 12, Blackburn Community Health Center will host a free children’s health fair featuring sports physicals, immunizations and exciting children’s games. The third annual Randall S. Smith Jr. Children’s Health Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blackburn Community Health Center, 2700 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Indianapolis. The event will also feature a college fair with representatives on hand from various universities.
Healthcare professionals will be available to answer questions and provide free immunizations for all ages and sports physicals for junior high and high school students. Parents are asked to bring their children’s immunization records. In addition to free health screenings and information, games, food and music will also be part of the day’s activities. Entertainment will be provided by Silly Safaris.
“With the start of the school year just around the corner, the third annual Randall S. Smith Jr. Children’s Health Fair offers an excellent opportunity for children to get the healthcare and information they need,” said Dr. John Kunzer, a pediatrician at Blackburn Community Health Center. “We hope the public comes out and enjoys the free food, games and music, and at the same time takes advantage of the wonderful services that will be available at Blackburn Community Health Center.”
Featured screenings and information booths will include dental services provided by the Marion County Health Department, eye exams provided by Prevent Blindness Indiana and diabetes and nutrition education from IU Medical Group. In addition, Indianapolis Public Schools, WIC and Covering Kids and Families will have educational booths on various programs. For the third straight year, bone marrow registration and education will also be offered throughout the day. Fair participants will also be able to donate blood to the Indiana Blood Bank.
Randall S. Smith Jr., a 14 year old patient at Blackburn Community Health Center, passed away on June 8, 2006 from a combined form of blood cancer (leukemia/lymphoma). Randall was an inspiration to others as he fought his illness with courage while always keeping a positive attitude. He never complained; instead, he worried more about how his illness affected his family. Prior to his
death, Randall made his mom promise to always try and help other children.
Sponsors for the Randall S. Smith Jr. Children’s Health Fair include the Blackburn Youth Health Network, IU Medical Group, BrightPoint Inc., MDwise and Wishard Health Services. Donations have been made by Mead Consumer Products, Monarch Beverage Company, Sanofipasteur, Steak n Shake, McDonalds, Target and Mead Johnson. Refreshments will be provided by Teamsters Local 135.
The Blackburn Community Health Center, one of eight Wishard community health centers, provides healthcare services including primary care, family planning, social and dental services. For more information about the health fair, please call (317) 931-4306.