GRMC gearing up for annual health fair

Despite it being the summer, Graham Regional Medical Center is taking no days off in educating the public about their health and well being. 

In the coming weeks, the hospital is beating the heat and taking its services to Graham High School for their annual community health fair.

The fair will run from 6-10 a.m. Saturday, July 26, with the hospital advertising free blood work, vision screening and over 30 health and wellness booths for visitors. 

Director of Marketing and Community Liaison Mia Patterson said that free labs and blood work are typically the most popular services provided by the medical center at the fair. 

Patterson said GRMC is fortunate to have sponsors, like GRMC Auxiliary and The Bertha Foundation, that make free walk-in blood work possible at the event. 

Patterson also pointed out how beneficial these tests can be at the fair and even recalled a potentially life saving story as a result of the fair.  

“There is a gentleman in our community who discovered he had cancer when he had his labs done and because of the GRMC health fair,” Patterson said. “He was able to catch and treat his cancer diagnosis before it got out of hand.” 

On top of the lab and blood work booths, Patterson also said there will be booths available like their new podiatry service line, the infusion clinic and a pain management program. 

Beyond just providing medical benefits to the community, Patterson also sees this event as valuable for being a source of unity in Graham. 

“This event is important to me for many reasons. It’s a time for our community to gather and learn together,” Patterson said. “GRMC and the community have so many resources to share with one another and it’s encouraging to see so many people sharing their knowledge and experiences.” 

This event has been in place since the early 90s, according to Patterson. She said that she hopes to continue the legacy of the event for another 30 years as GRMC proceeds into the future.