Health care for all

Karyna Smith of St. Charles came to the free health fair Saturday at the Salvation Army with her husband and their two small children.

But the focus was on her mother, Maria Rios, 61, who lives with the family and also was at the event.

"The doctor says she needs a lot of tests," Smith said. "We have insurance, but she doesn't. Here she can have some tests done."

Smith went from station to station collecting health and screening information.

"The doctor may say you need these things, and here it's a lot faster," Smith said.

It was the second free health fair sponsored by the Tri City Health Partnership, which serves low-income, uninsured and under-insured residents.

"We'll probably see about 250 people today," said Shannon Watson, executive director of Tri City Health Partnership. "We estimated last year that we saw 200.

"There are many wonderful resources in this room," Watson added. "Our main reason in having this clinic is to make people aware of them."

About 20 agencies were represented, including the American Cancer Society, the Arthritis Foundation and Tri City Family Services, which offered screening for depression.

Other agencies offered screening for asthma, high blood pressure, blood sugar/glucose levels, osteoporosis and child development. Information was offered on health care and where to go for treatment and services. Immunizations for flu and pneumonia were available for a cost.

"We come every year," said Judy Grassmyer, 67, of St. Charles, who was there with her husband Harold, 75. "We came for our flu shots. And you can compare and see what programs are available."

The fair also was sponsored by Delnor-Community Hospital and the Salvation Army.

The Tri City Health Partnership operates a free clinic in St. Charles. For information, call (630) 377-9277 or visit www.tchpfreeclinic.com.