FEATURE
done here for zero cost other than what it takes to get into the fair.
That’s a tremendous value for those that come in.”
For years, Dr. Brown has shared skin cancer screening duties at
the state fair with a group of dermatologists. The dedication is re-
markable, as this was one of only two booths I saw in 2017 to have
practicing physicians on hand.
The UofL mobile screening unit was the other, and the volunteers
there kept things fresh from day to day with a variety of special
events. One day, a trauma unit showed passersby how to apply
tourniquets. Another, pharmacists were on hand to answer ques-
tions about medication. “Hands only CPR” classes were given and
vascular screenings were available as well.
Almost every volunteer at the fair that afternoon said they or
another representative had been coming for years. Some booths
such as the Red Cross’ blood donation area had been a part of the
fair for almost three decades. That’s true dedication and shows a
belief that the work being done matters immensely. Many donors
give year after year – it’s part of their fair tradition (those devoted
to the Fair are intense about their fair pathways and pastimes).
I’ve heard physicians worry about the free walk-in screening
process. So many pedestrians are apathetic to the services, how
can it not be a little discouraging? I admit I had my doubts before
engaging the process myself.
Despite that perception, I was personally touched by the compas-
sion of almost every volunteer in attendance that Friday afternoon.
And I left the expo center with a better sense of my own health than
I’d had just a few hours before. You can’t put a price on that, but if
you could, I’m sure it’d be much more than $10 to park and $10 to
enter the fair itself.
Ignore the patient benefits of the Kentucky State Fair to your own
detriment. While it won’t be of major assistance to those with a
primary care physician, it can make a vital difference to those who
avoid doctors like the plague. There are more of you out there than
I think anyone would care to admit. Now, let’s just hope that next
year they can avert their eyes, as I did, from that oh-so-tempting
funnel cake that is just steps away.
Good health really is a never-ending strugg le.
Aaron Burch is the communications specialist for the Greater Louisville
Medical Society.
OCTOBER 2017
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