Philadelphia, PA-NJ (1888PressRelease)
October 02, 2009 - The Mid-Autumn Festival is organized by Asian Americans United, and for the first time free health screenings were offered to the more than 5,000 people celebrating this holiday event. APAMSA medical students from Temple University, Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey volunteered their time – and bilingual language capabilities - to provide blood pressure, blood glucose, bone density and hepatitis B testing to hundreds of attendees. Free moon cakes were offered to everyone who participated in the health screenings.
Nearly 1 in 10 Asian Americans is chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, so increased public awareness and testing is critical to stopping the spread of this deadly virus. Chronic hepatitis B infections can lead to premature death from end-stage liver disease and/or liver cancer, which is one of the fastest growing cancers in the U.S. and the 3rd leading cause of death among Asians. Thus, offering free testing for the early diagnosis of hepatitis B and referral to medical management is an important public health service to the Asian American community.
Additional fun activities were guest appearances by O’Liver, the HBF’s liver mascot and Rex, the Together RX Access mascot, free Clown Balloon making, and bubble machines. The festival included a street fair, the national Partnership for Prescription Assistance bus, martial arts demonstrations, a lion dance, stage performances, an evening lantern parade, and more.
About the Hepatitis B Foundation
The Hepatitis B Foundation is a national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected with hepatitis B worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. Visit www.hepb.org or call 215-489-4900.
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