Clovis citizens can be health aware at the fair

A father, Casey Najera of Clovis, held his baby in his arms as he listened to parenting information.

He was at the Health Fair held by the Clovis News Journal on Saturday at 21st and Prince Streets, where more than 50 groups represented health awareness.

“I’ve learned a lot of stuff today about kiddos,” Najera said. “We’ve learned they’re getting new doctors in town and about Parents Anonymous holding a meeting. It’s supposed to be a great support group for parents.”

The Health Fair, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., drew many people, from the very young to the elderly, who were curious about anything from high blood pressure to counseling for self-mutilation.

Kathy Woodard, a licensed clinical social worker, shared information near a booth that displayed photographs of wounds inflicted by self-mutilation.

“We’ve had quite a few people ask questions about that,” Woodard said. “We’ve had several people take our card, or several people asking for help. People will hurt themselves because they’re in a lot of pain and feel that’s the only way they can deal with it.”

At the beginning of the health fair, women were checked by a machine for bone density to determine whether they suffered from osteoporosis or were at risk for the disease that causes brittle bones.

They were given information on calcium, where to find it and which foods provided good calcium.

Meanwhile, long lines formed at a booth on heart disease.

Booths addressing several other types of health concerns also drew lines — from people seeking information on dental hygiene to those wanting to learn more about cancer.

The New Mexico Lions Eye Foundation mobile screening unit gave eye examinations and people donated blood at the United Blood Services’ “Bloodmobile.”

This was the first year the Clovis News Journal held the event.