United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties: Health Check 2023 provides vital service
One of the goals and priorities of the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties is to provide opportunities for everyone to access health services. We are finishing up our Health Check programs for 2023 with the last one in Carleton on Thursday, Nov. 2 (our sixth and final one this year). The event is from 8 a.m. to noon at Carleton United Methodist Church (11435 Grafton Road., Carleton). No appointment needed. Cost of the blood panel is $20 for a 22-test series. The main test offered is a blood panel comprised of 22 tests to include a complete blood count, glucose, kidney function, sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, thyroid function and total cholesterol check. A Vitamin D test and diabetes diagnostic aid tests are also available. All tests range in price from $5 to $20. Fasting 12 hours before testing is recommended. Test results are mailed to the individual’s home address. Confidentiality is strictly observed.
Since Carleton is the last one of this year, I wanted to reflect on the importance of this affordable service. I have watched how our agency partners come together to provide low to no cost health services. I watched different communities embrace the importance of preventive health opportunities. From Adrian, Bedford, Dundee, Monroe and soon Carleton, it’s heartening to see friends and neighbors taking their health seriously and inviting others to join. We’ve seen some regulars and some new faces come to see what it’s all about. I spoke with a couple from Adrian who came to Health Check for the first time. They’re retirees who like to check their blood work often, and, although they have insurance, they figure they saved about $2,000 by coming to Health Check for their blood work. They paid $50 each to get a 22-panel blood test, A1C and Vitamin D tests. They are amazed more retirees aren’t participating. They will now be “regular” attendees and pledge to tell their friends. I spoke with another lady from Monroe whose husband needs A1C testing for diabetes often, and the $15 cost at Health Check will save them hundreds of dollars. These are just two examples of why Health Check is a vital service for Monroe and Lenawee counties. Health Check, over the years, has saved lives, too, with early detection of serious health diseases. Funding for this program comes from the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties and the ProMedica hospital in each county that provides the lab testing and procedures.
The costs for this project are held to a minimum due to partnership collaborations. Please share this information with anyone you think might need affordable health screening. A limited supply of free coupons for the blood panel tests is available for those unable to afford the $20 blood panel fee. Contact the United Way at 734-242-1331 or contact one of the partner agencies for a free coupon.
Here’s the line up for Spring 2024:
Adrian: Thursday, April 25, St. Mary’s Activities Center, 305 Division St.
Bedford: Thursday, May 9, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 8330 Lewis Ave., Temperance
Dundee: Thursday, May 23, Dundee Assembly of God Church, 13790 S. Custer Road
The United Way pledges to help advocate for opportunities that a good life is available for all. Please “Join Us in a New Way to Live United” this fall campaign season! We currently fund 27 local agency programs in Monroe County. See our website (www.unitedwayMLC.org) for a list of those agencies. Don’t forget that you can send me your thoughts on why you love the United Way. Send me a photo or short video sharing “I LOVE United Way because….” Send it to me at lpipis@unitedwaymlc.org.
We appreciate your support to help fight poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, mental health and substance use disorders, domestic violence, and other important community needs. Additional direct programs and services provided by our local United Way include the 211 Health and Human Services Hotline, Project Ramp, Health Check and the 21-Week Racial Equity Challenge. Funds raised in Monroe County stay in Monroe County. For more information about joining us in new ways to live united, please contact us. Call us at 734-242-1331, mail a contribution or visit us at 216 N. Monroe St., Monroe, MI 48162, visit our website at www.unitedwaymlc.org. Visit our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok social media platforms, too.
Laura Schultz Pipis is the executive director of the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties: Health Check 2023
