Free flu shots offered at 5th Annual Women’s Health Fair this Saturday at D.A.P.

(PALM SPRINGS, CA – September 10, 2009)

For the fifth consecutive year, the Women’s Health Fair returns to the Desert AIDS Project campus at Vista Chino and Sunrise Way in Palm Springs. From 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 12, health fair attendees will find lots of free services and information for many of the issues that affect the everyday lives of most women. The health fair is being sponsored by Desert Regional Medical Center and 100 WOMEN, a major donor group to D.A.P. that is dedicated to the concerns of women and children whose lives are affected by HIV or AIDS. 

With “flu season” fast approaching, free flu shots – paid for by 100 WOMEN – will be provided to the first 70 people who ask for them on Saturday. Vaccinations against swine flu will not be available until mid- to late-October.

If you are a woman who has found it too expensive to get a mammogram, haven’t had your blood pressure or cholesterol checked recently, or just want to find good advice for staying healthy, the Women’s Health Fair is the place to be. “We are so pleased to have Desert Women for Equality back once again, offering free mammograms to women who may not have insurance coverage for one,” said Dr. Joy Hamilton, a member of 100 WOMEN and Director of Medical Services for Desert AIDS Project. “100 WOMEN helps to underwrite their costs, D.A.P. provides them with two exams rooms, and Desert Women for Equality brings volunteers to run the program. It’s a great partnership.”

Mammograms offered at the Women’s Health Fair require appointments while other screenings may be available on a “first-come, first-served” basis. Please contact D.A.P. at 760-323-2118 for more information. To learn more about Desert Women for Equality and where their monthly clinics are offered, call 760-325-4701. 

Desert Regional Medical Center and Borrego Community Health Foundation will both be offering blood pressure and blood sugar testing. In addition, Desert Regional will offer pregnancy testing and coupons for future cholesterol testing scheduled at their facility. Bobbie Anderson RN, CDE, of the Desert Healthcare District will give a short talk on Diabetes and Michelle Sherman, HIV Specialist Pharmacist from MichRx Pharmacist Consulting Services, will be a featured speaker at noon when a free lunch will be provided.

Throughout the hours of the Women’s Health Fair, the Girl Scouts will be offering car washes in the D.A.P. parking lot. Please note that there will be a charge as it is a fundraiser for their troop’s “future discoveries.” Many thanks to the Girl Scouts for providing children’s activities, to Stater Brothers for breakfast items, and to various other organizations for providing free giveaway items.

Other organizations providing free services and information at the Health Fair will include Advances in Medicine, the American Cancer Society, Animal Samaritans SPCA, AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical, California Rural Legal Assistance, the Center for Employment Training, Coachella Valley Sexual Assault Services, Costco and Costco Optometry, chiropractor Dr. Gina Davis, D.A.P. Dental Clinic, D.A.P. HIV testing, Desert AIDS Walk, Desert Ophthalmology, Forest Lawn, Gilda’s Club, the Golden Rainbow Senior Center, Jazzercise, Lifestream, Mary Kay Cosmetics, masseuses Charlie Mercer, Greg’s Rubdown, and Adrianna Silva, Planned Parenthood, Riverside County Office On Aging, Roche Pharmaceutical, Tibotec Therapeutics, Urban Yoga, Walgreens Pharmacy, the Weill Institute of Critical Care Medicine, and Dr. Melanie Wilkinson.

Desert AIDS Project is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services. D.A.P. also offers confidential HIV testing at a number of locations and widespread education and prevention services for schools, civic organizations, businesses, churches, and health organizations throughout the communities it serves. For more information, visit www.desertaidsproject.org or call 760-323-2118.