Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson of Gary has proclaimed Sunday, Sept. 28, First Ladies Health Day, as a confirmation of her joining forces with Walgreens to fight the spread of chronic illnesses in African American communities. The City of Gary in partnership with Walgreens will be offering its residents free health tests during the First Ladies Health Day on Sunday, September 28 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Genesis Convention Center, One Genesis Center Plaza.
Freeman-Wilson, along with 14 first ladies, or pastors’ wives, will host medical volunteers from Walgreens pharmacies, City of Gary, Gary Health Department, Methodist Hospitals, Community HealthNet, Lambent Risk Management, Lake County Minority Health Coalition and Edgewater Behavioral Health Services to provide the free tests and/or counseling.
Congregants from participating churches and the community at large will have the opportunity to receive tests for high blood pressure, diabetes, breast cancer, HIV/AIDS and other illnesses that are disproportionately high in African American communities. Also, pharmacists will be prepared to provide flu shots and medicine consultations.
There also will be presentations from medical experts, as well as testimonials, including that of Gary native Nikia Hammonds-Blakely who will share her experience of surviving breast cancer.
“We are happy to join in the First Ladies Health Day activities to be able to offer our community members these life-saving tests,” stated Mayor Freeman-Wilson. “All too often the sickest members of our communities do not know the degree of their illnesses because they do not have insurance, or the time to get tested. The health day will assist in this growing problem.”
The Gary host churches are: Bethel Church and Ministries, Christian Valley MB Church, First AME Church, Freeman Temple, God’s Word Ministry Church, Israel CME Church, New Hope MB Church, New Mt. Moriah Church, St. Augustine’s Church, St. Timothy Community Church, The Church of God in Christ, Trinity MB Church, Unity AME Zion Church, Unity AME Zion Church, Van Buren MB Church and Zion Progressive International Cathedral Church.
The First Ladies Health Day is not restricted to members of participating churches. Anyone may seek the various health tests and consultations at the Genesis Convention Center.
The First Ladies Health Initiative, currently in its sixth year, is based in Chicago, and will also feature 50 churches in the Windy City simultaneously opening their doors to health tests on-site.