Hackensack Meridian Health is hosting a community block party and health fair for Caribbean and Latino families across New Jersey on July 13 in as an effort to address cancer disparities and provide needed health services and education.
The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on the campus of Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and the Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) located at 123 Metro Blvd., Nutley.
“This is a much-needed event, which will help our many neighbors who might not otherwise get all the services they need,” said Lisa Carter-Bawa, director of the Cancer Prevention Precision Control Institute at the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI). “Through these resources, we are hoping to set a precedent which will improve and lengthen lives heading into the future.”
Health services and tests that will be provided include:
- blood pressure monitoring; diabetes screening (A1C)
- cholesterol screening
- HIV screening
- cancer screenings for breast, prostate, and self-sampling kits for cervical HPV screening
- hearing, vision and dental screenings
- education on genetic screening
- legal services, and education and career opportunity representatives;
Family fun will include a DJ, a dance performance, face painting, game stations, balloons, food trucks, salsa and bachata dance class, and Caribbean and Latino vendors.
HMH is partnering with Quest Diagnostics and BD (Becton Dickinson), as Premier Sponsors of this event; Eisai USA as Featured Sponsor; and Ralph Lauren as Event Sponsor. Screen NJ is a featured program partner providing free, on-site cancer screenings and no-cost transportation support.
Presenting partners include the Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center; the CDI; Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center; Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine; and Hackensack University Medical Center.
