Free PSA test offered at RMC blood drive

The week of Sept. 13 marks a busy week for Volunteer and Gator fans alike.
It’s the fifth annual blood drive competition in which fans of the University of Tennessee take on fans of the University of Florida.  
Medic Regional Blood Center encourages all eligible donors and Vol fans to roll up their sleeve and give for the home team.
A blood drive is planned from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at Oliver Springs Food City.
Eddie Check, a free PSA blood test for men, coincides with the special event on the last two days of this competition.
No blood donation is required for the test, which requires a small sample of blood.
“Unbelievably, one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime — and one in 36 will die from it,” said Christi Fightmaster of Medic public relations.
“Prostate cancer is second only to lung cancer as the cause of cancer-related deaths in American men, she added. “If prostate cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent.”
Roane County men can participate in the special free testing during a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 16 near the Roane Medical Center Annex, Harriman.
Free cholesterol screenings, refreshments, a coupon for a free chicken sandwich and special “Gater Hater” Medic T-shirts will be provided for all blood donors at all sites.