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Community Corner

Residents Get Tips, Screenings at Annual Health Fair

The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce held its health fair at the Campo Family YMCA in Valrico this past Saturday.

Residents were able to get screenings, tips and samples Saturday at the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce 2011 Health Fair, which took place in the gymnasium of the Campo Family YMCA from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Major sponsor Brandon Regional Hospital was among the businesses on hand, offering circulation screenings, which is the initial test run for possible arterial blockage. 

“This is just a preliminary test and is meant as a basis for you to take to your doctor,” said registered nurse Lisa Mock.

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New and well-known health vendors were on site to demonstrate their products and let residents sample some. 

Independent Arbonne consultant Shelly McManus shared information on Arbonne products and sampled the new line of protein drinks. 

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“I think it is a good experience,” said McManus of the health fair. “It is steady enough that you can actually speak and hear the people that stop by to hear more about the products and services.”

A natural fruit float company called Frubob shared information on the drinkable fruit offered in local convenient stores in the area. Frubob is a fruit drink with pieces of the fruit in the drink. It comes in mango, pineapple and each.

LifeCare of Brandon was present to inform patrons of the services it offers the community like pregnancy and parenting classes. 

Bloomingdale Radiolog and Tower Imaging centers were stressing the importance of cancer screenings whether mammographies or other testing.

For some area residents, the sour economy has resulted in job loss and the loss of health insurance. The health fair allowed them to get the basics screenings at no charge. While the screenings are just that, they do help the individual know if he or she may need further testing done.

Along with health care vendors, the health fair boasted cleaning services, schools in the health field, tax services, and even a few local banks like Valrico State Bank, Wachovia, and Hillsboro Bank. 

Sam’s Club representatives were on site to sign up new members, and Music Showcase Inc. was available to show how music can help kids and the young at heart get moving to the beat. 

Fred Astaire Dance Studio was available to show how dancing can help lower blood pressure and risks of various diseases through movement.

If you went to every vendor, learned about their services and got their initials, you had a chance to win some prize packages. Still, the biggest prize was the exposure to the vendors and their message of self-awareness when it comes to health.

EXHIBITORS LISTED IN THE 2011 HEALTH CARE FAIR PROGRAM:

  • AAA Auto Club South
  • A Hired Hand (in-home care)
  • A Touch of Wellness
  • Alafia Village Assisted Living
  • American Business Women’s Association
  • American Medical Research Associates
  • Aparicio-Levy Adult Technical Center
  • Arbonne International
  • Area Agency on Aging (FL SMP)
  • Avon (Amy Fleming)
  • Bill’s Prescription Center
  • Bloomingdale Radiology
  • Brandon Chiropractic Associates
  • Brandon Dermatology
  • Brandon Health and Rehabilitation (Central Park)
  • Brandon News & Tribune / The Tampa Tribune
  • Brandon Outreach Clinic
  • CharmVille Day Spa
  • Cindy’s Bucket of Bubbles
  • Conyers Covenant Spa & Fitness
  • Coventry Health Care
  • DCSI Inc. (security and sound systems)
  • DirectBuy of Tampa Bay
  • Drug Screen Solutions Inc.
  • Everest University
  • Family Medical Specialists
  • Florida Medical Training Institute
  • Focus on Females Education Foundation
  • Fortis Institute
  • Fred Astaire Dance Studio
  • Frubob USA Inc.
  • HART
  • Hawthorne Village Retirement Community
  • Hillsboro Bank
  • Hope Chiropractic
  • Insphere Insurance Solutions
  • Interactive Education Academy
  • Kotila Chiropractic
  • Liberty National Insurance
  • LifeCare of Brandon
  • LifeLink Foundation
  • Mad Science of Tampa Bay
  • Mary Kay (Christine Cartaya)
  • Mary Kay (Brein Huffman)
  • Montefu Consulting Inc.
  • MTO Cleaning Services
  • Music Showcase
  • Mutual of Omaha (Paulo Echer)
  • Planet Smoothie
  • Primrose School of Bloomingdale
  • Ride-Away Handicap Equipment Corp.
  • Roni Deutch Tax Center
  • Sam’s Club
  • Shakespeare Photography
  • Suncoast Community Health Centers Inc.
  • Tampa Pain Relief Center
  • Thornton Chiropractic Center
  • Traventours Events & Excursions
  • Trump Network
  • Turning Pointe of Tampa Bay
  • Universal Health Care
  • University Community Hospital
  • Valrico Spine and Rehabilitation Center
  • Wachovia (a Wells Fargo company)
  • YMCA — Campo Family
  • YouFit Brandon
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