FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2007
SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION HOSTS HEALTH FAIR
National Osteopathic Medical Association sponsors health screening event
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Rescue Mission today hosted a Health Fair where homeless people as well as seniors and members of the public without health coverage were offered free health screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, HIV and foot ailments.
The one-day event was sponsored by the National Osteopathic Medical Association, an organization representing minority osteopathic physicians. More than 450 adults and children took advantage of the free screenings and health care.
Other organizations participating in the health fair included the American Cancer Association, American Lung Association and American Diabetes Association, and a Heart to Heart International mobile trailer was set up to give wellness exams to children. In addition, a clinic was on site to provide the necessary follow-up care.
“We could not find a better San Diego partner for this health fair, which we sponsor each year in the city where the American Osteopathic Association holds its annual convention,” said NOMA Vice President and project manager Darrell Grace, D.O.. “The Rescue Mission provides a tremendous public service through its programs for the homeless, and we are pleased to be teamed up with this worthwhile organization to help people, especially children, identify and receive treatment for health problems.”
NOMA is an affiliate of the American Osteopathic Association, which is holding its Annual Convention and Scientific Seminar from Sept. 30 through Oct. 4 at the San Diego Convention Center.
“We are grateful for the generous donation of professional resources and time from NOMA and these other organizations who offered health screenings to these people in need,” said Herb Johnson, CEO of the Rescue Mission. “By identifying health problems early, they can be treated and prevent more serious complications later in life.”
Donations for the Rescue Mission are being accepted during the convention, where participants can purchase $25 gift cards or make cash contributions.
The Rescue Mission—providing recovery programs to San Diego’s homeless, addicted and abused for 52 years—is a model for what can be achieved by a private organization that receives no public funding. Now being run by a Harvard MBA, it is the only comprehensive homeless rehabilitation center in San Diego and one of the largest in all of California.
The San Diego Rescue Mission offers emergency shelter for homeless women and children in addition to its comprehensive 12-month program that includes drug recovery and relapse prevention; job training and continuing education; and “One-to-One” counseling.
The Mission does not accept tax money or funding from the government and is dependent on donations from individuals and corporations for its programs to help the homeless. The Mission saves San Diego taxpayers more than $50 million a year in services it provides the homeless.
Individuals who wish to make donations or volunteer with the Rescue Mission should call 1-888-SD-RESCUE (1-888-737-3728) or visit www.sdrescue.org.
ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION
Every day, the lives of homeless men, women, and children are changed at the San Diego Rescue Mission. The Mission’s long-term programs provide the physical necessities, vocational training, and spiritual encouragement needed to truly turn their lives around. The San Diego Rescue Mission prepares nearly 440,000 free meals and provides over 120,000 free nights of shelter each year, serving thousands of San Diego’s homeless. The Mission operates without any government or tax dollars for its programs, with funding coming from donations by individuals, corporations and foundations. For more information, visit www.sdrescue.org.
ABOUT NOMA
National Osteopathic Medical Association is an organization representing minority osteopathic physicians (D.O.s). D.O.s are fully-licensed physicians able to prescribe medicine and perform surgery. Currently, there are more than 56,000 D.O.s in the United States. NOMA is an affiliate of the American Osteopathic Association, a member association representing more than 61,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s). The AOA serves as the primary certifying body for D.O.s, and is the accrediting agency for all osteopathic medical colleges and health care facilities. The AOA’s mission is to advance the philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine by promoting excellence in education, research, and the delivery of quality, cost-effective healthcare within a distinct, unified profession. For more information, visit www.osteopathic.orgBack to Press Releases