Indianapolis, July 20, 2010 – As summer swings into high gear, 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, August 7, Blackburn Health Center will host a free children’s health fair featuring sports physicals, immunizations and exciting children’s games. The annual Randall S. Smith Jr. Children’s Health Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blackburn Health Center, 2700 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street 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. There will also be staff members from the Wishard Pharmacy available to take unwanted medication for disposal. In addition to free health screenings and information, games, food and music will also be part of the day’s activities.
“With the start of the school year just around the corner, the fifth 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 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 Health Center.”
Featured screenings and information booths will include dental services provided by the Marion County Health Department, drug education by the Indiana National Guard Counter Drug, nutrition education from Wishard Health Services. In addition, free school supplies will be handed out and a special bicycle rodeo with bike safety tips will be setup in the parking lot. Children are asked to bring their own bikes and helmet for the rodeo. For the fifth 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 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 IU School of Medicine Pediatric Student Interest Group, IU Medical Group, Monarch Beverage Charitable Foundation, MDwise, Teamsters Local 135 and Wishard Health Services. Donations have been made by Cookie Cutters, IPS Athletics, Marsh, Sam’s Club, Sears Auto Center in Greenwood, and Smart Styles in Avon.
The Blackburn 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) 931-4303.