Join Our Heroes and Take Control of your Health: Columbia Fire Department Partners with Palmetto Health for “Heroes’ Challenge”

COLUMBIA, SC – Today, Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins and the Columbia Fire Department in partnership with Palmetto Health announced the 2014 “Heroes’ Challenge” during the month of May and June.  The “Heroes’ Challenge” is a health initiative for residents of the City of Columbia and Richland County as well as all members of Public Safety and their families to receive FREE health screenings and education, offered by Palmetto Health.

The FREE screenings include prostate cancer and diabetes testing for individuals who qualify based on risk levels.  These types of screenings are important to ensure one’s health and wellness and can even end up saving your life.  The Palmetto Health Office of Community Health screening guidelines are:

•  African American men age 40 (Family History: Age 35)
•  All other men starting at age 50 (Family History: Age 45)

Scheduled screening times include:

• Saturday May 31st  10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 3907 Ensor Ave (Eau Claire Print Bldg)
• Friday June 13th  12:00 PM – 5:00 PM 1800 Laurel St (CFD Museum)
• Friday June 20th  12:00 PM – 5:00 PM 153 Atlas Rd (Atlas Rd Station #8)

All Public Safety & Family Members

One in seven males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and those statistics increase with African-American males to one in five.  Risk factors include:

• Age (African American men over 40 and Caucasian men and other minorities over 50)
• Family history
• Race (African American)
• High-Fat diet

Appointments are not required, but registration is recommended by calling Palmetto Health CareCall at 803-296-CARE (2273) or for more information visit www.PalmettoHealth.org/CommunityHealth.