Event gives area a healthy glow

John Ceballos

Jun. 17, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- BALM -- For more than a decade, the Good Samaritan Mission has hosted an event that has provided free health care services for thousands of visitors.

The tradition continued with the mission's 13th annual free health fair June 10.

More than 200 people attended the event.

"We pretty much just host this thing and give these wonderful people a venue to do their thing," said William Cruz, the mission's chief of staff. "We're very happy to have all these great organizations here today."

Those organizations included the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Suncoast Community Health Centers and the Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg.

"We travel throughout Hillsborough, but we really try to get to the underserved parts of the community," said Venessa Rivera, health educator for Moffitt.

The Good Samaritan Mission at 14920 Balm-Wimauma Road seeks to enhance the spiritual and physical quality of life for farmworkers and others living in poverty in south Hillsborough County.

The mission, the health care groups and a team of dedicated volunteers combined to provide free blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar tests, memory screenings and mammograms for women age 40 to 49.

"This is the second straight year that I've come to this" health fair, Judith Mendoza of Wimauma said. "They've helped me a great deal with my health care."

In addition to providing free medical services, the organizers wanted to give advice and guidance in dealing with the health care system.

"I feel like education about these issues is just as important as treating any health problems," Rivera said. "If we can show them how to do the right things, they can avoid a lot of the problems that get them here in the first place."

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 627-4762.

Newstex ID: 35806978