Information galore at Franklin Hospital’s health fair

Developing healthy habits can prolong life expectancy. That was one of the main lessons taught during Franklin Hospital’s annual community health fair at Memorial Junior High School on April 9.

More than 100 visitors participated in free blood pressure and other health screenings, in addition to seminars and a presentation on nutrition. Also, free educational information on topics ranging from cancer awareness to rehabilitation medicine was also offered. The hospital’s nutrition department served food to visitors. And for the second year, Memorial provided the perfect venue for the event, which has been a community favorite for the last several years.

“We now have a partnership with the school and we run it here,” said Audrey Tullo, the hospital’s community relations liaison. “It is self-contained. We don’t have to worry about weather…it’s really great.”

The fair, which used to be at the hospital, provides an opportunity for hospital volunteers and Memorial parents and students to help. Preparations usually take months, starting with meetings in January, according to Tullo. During this year’s event, Tullo was already writing down things to improve for next year’s fair. The event, she said, is about community outreach and a way to give back. “It’s a big collaborative effort,” she added.

Hospital volunteers Barbara Abrams, Marie Bambino and Carolyn Doherty ran the sign in table. “It’s great that it’s available for children,” Bambino said.

Doherty, who is diabetic, said the fair is great. “They should do it every year,” she joked. She added that it’s very important to learn about cancer and that there once were breast cancer screenings available.

Face painting and games were also provided for children in the gym, where there were about 30 health education booths set up. Additional volunteers like Tony Spezio from the school’s PTSA gave plenty of information.