Mendoza and Osvaldo Cruz, speak to Elans at their booth in the Health Fair last Wednesday. They are part of the Engaging Men Project at the East LA Women’s Center. CN/ERICA BEAS
By Rogelio Alvarez
East Los Angeles College nursing students voluntarily held a free checkup event which provided testsing foron blood pressure and, blood glucose and addressed health questions.
Nursing Program students set up tents outside of the Nursing Building last Wednesday.
“We want to help people in our community. That’s why we have the fair,” Nursing Department Chair Lurelean Gaines said.
The main goal for the health fair is to bring awareness of general health to all students.
While walking to classes, students were being brought over to tables which served as different stations of physical check-ups.
They also had access to many different outlets which offer healthier options in all aspects of life.
Nursing students used blood pressure meters and stethoscopes to determine students’ blood pressure with the normal rate of 120/80.
At one of the booths, students were asked to have their DNA recorded to see if their blood type matched with that of individuals with blood cancer patients.
If a match was found, students received a blood donation appointment.
According to Gaines, one in every three people born in 2000 have diabetes, especially within minority communities.
The American Diabetes Association handed out pamphlets on how to manage diabetes.
Other organizations on hand included the National Kidney Foundation, the Veteran’s Leadership Development, Alto a La Diabetes and the Monterey Park Hospital.
The Nursing Department invited different health organizations to provide health information awareness to students.
Nursing students used a Fat Loss Monitor to detect the percentages of body fat and body mass index (BMI).
ELAC nursing student Johnny Vinh Ta said that individuals with higher percentages of body fat are more prone to developing type 2 diabetes.
Health organizations had booths that focused on diabetes education, prevention and health management.
One booth educated students about ultra violet rays that cause skin cancer and provided demonstrations on how to apply sunblock.
“People should be educated on these matters. I want to help students,” nursing student Crystal M. Amaya said.
Nursing student ?Adira Fernandez believes her community in East Los Angeles needs more awareness about diabetes and other harmful diseases that can affect her community at large.
ELAC cheerleaders helped attract attention to the fair. They motivated students to get checked and learn the importance of health.
“I think it’s great that they bring in more students. The more, the better,” Amaya said.
One of the booths focused on the importance of dental care and gave out free toothbrushes and toothpaste.
The booth recommended students brush their teeth side to side and use to floss to remove e?xtra food.
ELAC Women’s Health Center campus advocate Luis Mendoza was one of the students sharing knowledge of the organization.
“There are many women who have e?xperienced domestic abuse and are currently victims of domestic violence and don’t know how to get out of a relationship or get help. It’s not just women who are victims, men also are e?xperiencing sex?ual and domestic abuse,” Mendoza said.
The manager of Herbs of Mex?ico, ?Ade Lopez, e?plained that there are also traditional natural remedies to help prevent and manage diabetes, as well as other ailments.
“I don’t have diabetes or anything, but I take a few herbs every day and I haven’t been sick in almost four years,” Lopez said.
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Gianfranco Abrego, Erica Beas, Maria Becerra, Xifan Cai, Brooke Gemina, Veronica Jacobo, Santiago Lozano, Christina Martinez, Roslin Ojeda, Francisco Portillo also contributed to the story.