Free tests, information at Feb. 18 health fair

Luminary United Methodist Church, Ten Mile, will provide access to several medical specialists and health-related service providers during its annual Presidents Day health fair.

Free comprehensive blood-screening panels are among the offerings at Luminary United Methodist Church’s annual Presidents Day health fair, which will be from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 20 in the church.

The health fair will be from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 20. The church is at 3401 River Road.

The University of Tennessee Breast Health Outreach Program will perform screening mammograms for both uninsured and insured women from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in its digital mammography mobile unit.

Participants must be 40 or older. Call 305-9753 in advance to schedule a mammogram appointment.

Free bone density screening for post-menopausal women will be available with preregistration. Call the church at 376-7040 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to noon Friday.

Comprehensive blood-screening panels, prostate-specific antigen tests and urine tests will be provided by Summit Medical Group of Knoxville.

These screening costs will be covered by Luminary United Methodist Church. Registration for the blood and urine tests will occur at the initial check-in tables, and numbers will be assigned to reduce congestion around the blood lab.

Blood tests will be conducted throughout the four hours of the health fair, so slots for free blood testing are normally still available later in the morning.

Those  wanting to take advantage of the blood-screening tests need to fast for nine to 12 hours by taking in no food or drink except for small amounts of water, black coffee or tea for the most benefit. Non-fasting panels will still provide some useful information if health conditions preclude total fasting.

Other free medical screenings will include ear, nose and throat by Summit Medical Group; vision by Tennessee Eye Care; colon cancer by Oak Ridge Gastroenterology Associates; skin cancer by Dermatology Associates of Oak Ridge; stroke by Vascular Diagnostics Center of Oak Ridge; and acupuncture by Active Family & Sports Chiropractic.

Blood-pressure readings will be offered at one or two service provider stations, and Roberts Chiropractic will be available to provide information on its services.

At least 14 area agencies and health-related organizations will be represented at the fair.

A wide variety of information resources will be provided. They include disaster relief by the American Red Cross; nursing home, long-term care options and Luminary Alzheimer support group by The Bridge at Rockwood; The National Association of Mental health; The Epilepsy Foundation; Home Health Care of Tennessee; Roane County Health Department; Take Off Pounds Sensibly; and Roane County Emergency Service Group of emergency team and volunteer firefighters.

Foust Fitness and the Luminary Zumba instructor will provide information on classes and possibly some demonstrations.

United Way of Roane County representatives will explain its multifaceted activities.

New to the fair will be a University of Tennessee Extension agent explaining its family and consumer services in Roane County; and Roane Imagination Library, which provides free books to children.

Free refreshments, including coffee, tea, juice and muffins, will be provided by Luminary United Methodist Church.