Thanks for help with health fair

The 18th Annual Kids 1st Health Fair, sponsored by the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and United Way of Lake County, was a huge success.

The Aug. 4 event served 1,205 children, providing them with 670 physicals, 519 dental exams, 520 immunizations, 314 lead and hemoglobin tests, 307 TB tests, 180 foot care assessments, 1,048 backpack fittings, and 80 families received nutrition counseling.

Also, more than 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies and 8,200 age-appropriate books were given to children who participated in the fair.

As impressive as these numbers are, there is a more compelling story to tell.

The percentage of children receiving physicals climbed from 29 percent in 2009 to 56 percent this year, and dental exams swelled from 23 percent to 43 percent - nearly double the service volume and a strong affirmation that we are providing an invaluable service to Lake County families in need.

We attribute these increases to the renewed focus placed on the Kids 1st mission of preparing children to be medically ready for school.

Making the Kids 1st Health Fair mission a reality would not happen without dedicated supporters.

We are indebted to our donors who provided the financial support to host the fair, including major funding support from Abbott. Additional financial contributors included Baxter Healthcare Corp., First Bank of Highland Park, Great Lakes Credit Union, John L. Howard and Family, North Shore University Health System/Highland Park Hospital, Tenneco Inc. and W.W. Grainger Inc.

We are grateful to our in-kind contributors who helped decrease our expenses by donating more than $1,000 worth of products. They include Abbott, Bernie's Book Bank, Canon Business Solutions, JRS Distribution Co., L. Craven & Sons Inc. and Medline Industries.

We also thank the 800 community volunteers who gave unsparingly of their expertise and compassion.

On behalf of the families and the children who were served this year, we offer our heartfelt thanks to all who helped to achieve our mission.

Irene Pierce Lake County Health Department

K. Michael Welch Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Kristi Long United Way of Lake County