Popular Harlem Family Health Fair Offers Education, Entertainment, and Free Screenings
New York, NY (BlackNews.com) - The American Kidney Fund and New York City Mission Society will host the Darold Thompson-Ferguson (D-Ferg) Harlem Family Health Fair on Saturday, October 15 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at NYC Mission Society's Minisink Townhouse, 646 Malcolm X Boulevard at 142nd Street in Harlem.
Now in its sixth year, this popular community event is held in honor of Darold Thompson-Ferguson, one of the city's most talented silkscreen artists who died from complications of kidney disease on October 17, 2003.
Darold and his family are well known for their service to the Central Harlem community and especially their contributions to New York City Mission Society. The event is underwritten by an anonymous donor and supported by North General Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center.
The fair will feature free health screenings, healthy cooking and exercise demonstrations, presentations by local medical experts and live entertainment for children and adults.
"The health fair is an excellent vehicle for educating a younger generation of adults about the risks associated with kidney disease and how it can rob our community of the talent and gifts that D-Ferg generously shares with us," said Stephanie Palmer, Executive Director of the Mission Society.
Medical professionals will hold straight talk educational sessions and distribute literature on the leading medical conditions affecting the African-American community - not only kidney disease, but also high blood pressure and diabetes (the two leading causes of kidney disease), as well as high cholesterol, asthma and HIV.
Founded in 1971, the American Kidney Fund provides direct financial assistance to kidney patients in need and education for those with and at risk for kidney disease.
New York City Mission Society is the city's oldest private social service organization serving communities of longstanding need since 1812. Its goal is to provide a warm and loving environment to children and families who are challenged by poverty and experiencing difficult circumstances. Each year it serves nearly 5,000 people from Harlem, the South Bronx, and Brooklyn. Its core programs focus on four critical areas needed to achieve self-sufficiency education, prevention, personal growth & development, and arts & recreation into to its array of programs to promote the healthy development of each child and family it serves.
For more information about the American Kidney Fund, visit:
www.kidneyfund.org
For more information on the New York City Mission Society, visit:
www.nycmissionsociety.org
PRESS CONTACT:
Trina Frazier
301-984-6673
Source:
http://www.blacknews.com/pr/harlem101.html