A party with a purpose

Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 10, 2004

This Saturday Dr. Bruce Taylor and his staff at Taylor Internal Medicine are taking over the Selma Mall for what may be the largest free health fair Selma has ever seen.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and then continuing with a jazz concert at Bloch Park at 7 p.m., Taylor Internal Medicine and the nonprofit organization Nation Corps. Inc. will present the Black Belt Mega Health Fair and Fun Day.

“It’s like a party with a purpose,” said Taylor, explaining what the atmosphere at the mall will be like.

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Around 43 vendors are scheduled to be set up across the length of the mall, the majority of which will be health care professionals who can give advice and offer screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, vision problems, osteoporosis, and other medical conditions.

“We were originally expecting between 30 to 35 vendors, so this number is exceptional,” Taylor said. “Three or four of the vendors will not be health related. We will also have a mortgage advisor, an author, and the kick-off of a new comedy hour.”

The health fair will also have a entertainment stage at the main entrance of the mall which will feature several gospel and choir acts throughout the day.

Taylor said there will also be a contest for numerous prizes, and the vendors will also be giving way materials to all those who attend the health fair.

“At the Kids’ Zone, most of the area day cares have volunteered at least an hour of their time to watch the children as parents go through the health fair,” Taylor said. “For the kids, there will be clowns, face painting, a moonwalk, and other activities for them.”

At the back of the mall, behind J.C. Penny’s, the Selma Fire Department will be demonstrating how to correctly install car seats and making sure parents are using the right type of car seat for their children.

“We will change the car seat out if it is recalled or not the right kind,” Taylor said.

The entire health fair is free to the public, Taylor said, due to many local businesses and people in the community donating their time, prizes, or money.

“There are four companies donating around $3,500 just for food for the health fair,” Taylor said.

Taylor and his staff first began planning the large health fair in February as a way to raise awareness about diabetes and heart disease.

“Dallas County and the Black Belt has the highest diabetic rate in Alabama, and Alabama has the highest diabetic rate in the nation,” Taylor said. “This is because of obesity and genetics. People in the Black Belt like to eat. Doctors treat diabetes like it’s heart disease because it is heart disease. This is our way of bringing about awareness about this problem.”

The staff at Taylor Internal Medicine all said that after months of planning, they were excited and nervous about Saturday’s events.

Taylor said he hopes to make this health fair an annual event, and maybe have more similar events throughout the year.