Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.  Last year the Nederland 9Health Fair was a mini-event. This year it was a complete event with the blood draw, the ears, eyes and feet analysis, teeth check, spine condition and stress assessment. The event took place on Saturday morning at the Nederland Community Center.

A long line wound its way through the hall leading to the blood draw room. Many people said, “you can’t beat the price,” no one knew what might be spotted, what could be stopped in its tracks.

Hugh Moore of Gold Hill said he had never attended a health fair before. In fact, he hasn’t seen a doctor since 1981 when he had some dental work done and needed a prescription. Otherwise he hasn’t taken any pills.

Moore, the owner of the Gold Hill Store, says his good health has probably been due to his low stress job and his good life in the mountains, but he has become a little worried about a weight gain in the past year and wanted to be sure that it wasn’t a pre-diabetic symptom. If it wasn’t such a good deal, Moore might have decided not to come.

One woman said she comes to the fair every year so she can sleep at night, not worrying if something might be wrong. Being aware of symptoms and their indications is taking the right step toward maintaining one’s health.

Making it easy and affordable to attend the health fair is one of 9Health’s missions. To allow people to take responsibility for their own health, by participating in free or low-cost screenings.

Local health care workers participated in the event; Dr. Mike Camarata of Columbine Health Center checked blood pressure; a whole team of phlebotomists drew blood in the dance studio; and health specialists took a look at posture, footcare and balance. The Lions’ Club took care of the financials for the event.

Running the gauntlet of people whose one concern at the moment is your health was a great feeling, especially when it comes with a friendly smile and deep concern for any issues you might have. They had an on-the-floor mattress for people who felt faint when having blood drawn.

When it was all over, snacks and drinks were available along with a handful of information about what to expect from the tests.

(Originally published in the November 16, 2017 print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)