This year, buddy up for the 9Health Fair

The 9Health Fair, Colorado’s largest volunteer-run health screening program, will offer more than 20 free tests — as well as a few at low cost — in three locations throughout northern Larimer County, on three different weekends.

The first is set for April 14 at the Wellington Community Church, 8445 Third St. in Wellington, 7 to 11 a.m.

On April 20 and 21, the 9Health Fair will be at the Christ Center Community Church, 2700 S. Lemay Ave. in Fort Collins, 7 a.m. to noon.

And on May 5, screenings will be offered 7 a.m. to noon at the Red Feather Lakes Community Library, 71 Fire House Lane; Fire Department Ambulance Bay; and Property Owners Association building, 58 Fire House Lane.

All three locations will perform the full range of free tests for everyone over 18 years of age, from blood pressure to vision screenings, body fat measurement to oral exams, as well blood tests for a small fee.

The $30 blood chemistry screening measures blood sugar and cholesterol levels and liver, kidney, bone and muscle function, which can show warning signs of diabetes, heart disease and other health concerns. Other tests that require a blood draw include the blood count ($15); Vitamin D screening ($40); and a hemoglobin A1C test ($25), which provides an average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. Screenings for prostate and colon cancer will also be available for $20 to $25.

Results from the blood work, Pap smears and colon cancer screening will be mailed directly to your home to share with your personal physician. If a critical health issue is discovered, you will receive a call from a medical volunteer within 72 hours. And no Social Security number or personal identification is needed to participate in a 9Health Fair.

“Whether you have insurance or not, 9Health Fair provides a broad picture of a person’s health risk and an entry point to accessing health care,” said Jim Goddard, president and CEO of the nonprofit 9Health Fair. “Our annual celebration of wellness provides a very convenient, accessible and non-intimidating way to get personal health information. So we ask everyone to consider who in their life may not have easy access to health programs, and invite them to join you at a 9Health Fair.”

In addition to the testing, health fair locations also offer free health education and “Ask a Medical Question/Get a Referral” services.

Each year, 19,000 9Health Fair volunteers — more than half of them doctors, nurses and other medical professionals — serve more than 90,000 people throughout Colorado.

Pre-registration for your preferred site is available online at www.9healthfair.org, where you can also find more detailed information about how to prepare for the various tests.