“Fight like a man for your health” is the theme for the annual no-cost All Men’s Health Fair at the Dow Event Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 3.
This touches my heart professionally because of my 28-year career as an executive in community outreach at Flint’s Hurley Medical Center, and personally because my own life has been saved by the type of screening that is offered at our free event.
My hope is that by telling my story to promote the All Men’s Health Fair, others will enlist in the health care system for the sake not only of themselves, but out of consideration for loved ones at the same time.
Unlike some of the folks who will get checkups on June 3 for the first time in a long time, I was always fortunate to have access to annual physical exams. After all, how could somebody be a hospital administrator, pushing others to get checked out, and not do so themself?
The regular test results always were thumbs up until I reached my double nickel — age 55 — back in 2016. Then suddenly came the word: Heart failure. But within the bad news there still was a positive outlook, because of the early detection.
Treatment began seven years ago with a few medications, which carried me through until 2020 when major surgery was required. Now I wear a heart pump, with hopes of one day finding a transplant donor. I follow doctor’s orders with diligence, taking my meds religiously. My 45-minute brisk daily walks help keep the heart pumping and the blood in circulation.
Listen to my friend and fellow Health Fair organizer, Dr. Christopher Allen from Covenant Health Care: “Most men don’t go see a physician until something is very wrong. We are inviting men to come in and to get checked out, before it’s too late. The main barrier is often those three words: ‘I feel fine.’ We all are tempted to believe that if we don’t know, it won’t hurt us.”
Among many examples of health issues that may gradually grow more severe for an otherwise healthy man are high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. Those types of concerns will be evaluated as part of a mini-health assessment that offers an array of tests and screenings. But for fellows who remain reluctant, health and wellness information will be offered with follow-up care available.
For guys who still are skeptical, here are some eye-openers:
- Men in the United States, on average, live seven fewer years than women.
- Out of the top 10 causes of death, men die at a higher rate for nine of them.
- Half of all men will face some sort of cancer.
Please take my word: A visit to the All Men’s Health Fair could save your life, or that of a loved one.
Following his Hurley Medical career, Dwayne Parker volunteers on the board for Great Lakes Bay Health Centers. He is the former Buena Vista Township supervisor.
