ALAMOSA — Mark calendars for Friday, April 20! Alamosa County Public Health Department will offer an expanded 9Health Fair in a new location. This year’s fair will be at the Colorado Army National Guard Readiness Center, 1877 Old Sanford Road in Alamosa, from 7-11 a.m.

“This new location gives us room to offer more screenings,” stated 9Health Fair co-coordinator and public health employee Carol Colvin. Colvin and co-coordinator Kerrie Harris (also a public health employee) have been busy planning the fair and recruiting volunteers. Health Department staff, other county employees and many other volunteers contribute time and energy to make health fair a success.

Screenings will include: height/weight, blood pressure, blood draws, skin screening, vision and hearing screening. Participants are encouraged to review their screenings at the “talk to a medical professional” table. There will also be valuable information about nutrition, stress reduction, safe disposal of medications, home safety and how to volunteer for Citizen’s Corp and Medical Reserve Corp.

Blood draws offered and costs are:

Blood chemistry - $35

Blood cell count - $25

Vitamin D - $50

Vitamin B12 - $20

Hemoglobin A1C - $35

PSA for men - $40

Testosterone for men - $40

Testosterone for women - $45

It is not necessary to fast for any of the blood tests and participants are encouraged to drink plenty of water beforehand. A colon cancer screening take home kit is also available for $25.

Participants may register and pay for blood tests and/or the colon cancer screening kit online at www.9HealthFair.org. Registration is also available at the fair and payment can be cash, check, Visa or MasterCard. There will be a “Kids Korner” where children may play while their parents are visiting the fair. For safety reasons, no one under age 18 can be in areas where blood tests are taking place.

For more information or to volunteer, please call Alamosa County Public Health, 589-6639.