The Peoria Friendship House is hosting a community health event Saturday. Peoria Public Radio’s Orko Manna reports the Community Unity Day and health fair combines two annual Friendship House events:
It includes free medical services and health screenings including blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol. There are also physical exercise programs and food preparation demonstrations. Sandy Arreguin is with the Peoria Friendship House. She says the event helps those in need gather the latest nutritional and health tips that also offer people the ability to help themselves in broader ways:"Sometimes people go to the doctor and they don't know what to say. And, sometimes they meant to tell the doctor a specific issue, but because they didn't advocate, they kind of just went with whatever the doctor said and maybe didn't know what questions were the right questions. So, that will be one thing we will focus on too - teaching people how to advocate for themselves."More than 30 information booths will be present covering general health issues and disorders, with a special emphasis on breast cancer awareness. Language interpreters will also be on-hand in all areas for Spanish speaking people. The program runs from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the Peoria Friendship House.