Towpath Rotary Health Check scheduled for Oct. 19
The Towpath Rotary Club will hold its annual health check at the Bolivar Army-Navy.
The Towpath Rotary Club will hold its annual health check at the Bolivar Army-Navy on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9-10 a.m. The health check is open to everyone and provides important health information at a reduced price.
“We’ve done this for about 10 years, and it’s a bargain for local folks to get some of the basic health tests,” Jon Elsasser from the TRC said. “It can save lives too. We have two men in the community whose prostate cancer was discovered through our Rotary health check.”
This year’s event will include a couple of firsts. For the first time, people can add an optional hemoglobin A1C test for diabetes. The blood test measures the average amount of sugar in the blood over the past few months. It can be used to help prediagnose diabetes and also to monitor how well a person’s existing treatment plan is working.
This year also will be the first time SpringVale Health Centers has participated in the event. SpringVale nurses and medical assistants will perform the blood draws while additional representatives will provide information on the services SpringVale offers.
According to Miles Riley, director of marketing and fundraising at SpringVale, the blood panel will include a complete blood count, which can detect anemia; a comprehensive metabolic panel, which checks the liver and kidneys; thyroid stimulating hormone and a lipid panel, which checks cholesterol levels; and an optional prostate-specific antigen test, which can be added to screen for prostate cancer.
“We’re excited to be able to reach a little further north than we’ve been before,” Riley said. “Our new mobile health unit will also help us reach deeper into surrounding communities.”
Earlier this year SpringVale opened a new primary care facility in New Philadelphia, adding to its existing behavioral health, dental and crisis intervention services.
Getting tested supports local causes
In addition to saving money, participation in the TRC’s health check helps support local causes.
“Rotary International does some great things, and some dues go toward international work,” Elsasser said. “But we’ve decided we want to focus our work on the local community.”
One example of local help is the work the club has performed to make improvements on the Towpath Trail near Dover-Zoar Road. In addition to clearing away brush from the corner, TRC added a connecting path, a culvert and a picnic shelter.
“We’ve traditionally held a document-shredding day right after tax day in the spring where people can get rid of their sensitive documents,” Elsasser said. “It helps protect against identity theft and also helps people clear out their homes and offices.”
The Army-Navy is no stranger to community support. The club will cook breakfast so people can refuel after fasting for the blood tests. Meals help support the charitable efforts of the local club.
“The whole concept of Army-Navy is to help the community and help service members,” member Rick Niblick said.
According to Niblick, the Bolivar Army-Navy contributes thousands of dollars each year to Tusky Valley Schools and local causes that support the community. Last year the club sponsored local youth Zane Anderson in his efforts to become an Eagle Scout. Anderson’s project brought improvements to the Bolivar Cemetery on Pine Street, which was deteriorating.
Costs and registration
The cost of the blood panel is $50, the A1C option is $10 and the PSA is $15 and can be paid by cash or check the day of the event. Participants need to fast for 12 hours prior to having blood drawn, and drinking plenty of water is recommended.
Preregistration is encouraged but is not required. To sign up in advance, visit www.rotaryhealthcheck.com and fill out the registration form. A brief health history will be taken at the event.
Additional information on the Towpath Rotary Club can be found on Facebook. The Bolivar Army-Navy is located at 165 Canal St. in Bolivar.