Volunteers and participants gather at a blood pressure and sugar screening outside the Gateway Recreation Center on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Alma Parker).
The Ketchikan Wellness Coalition held its second blood pressure and sugar screening event this weekend.
Joana Clere was volunteering as part of the coalition’s Sama Sama Task Force, a group that works to promote Filipino health and wellness.
Three people had made it to the event within the first 15 minutes it opened.
She said keeping an eye on your blood pressure is important.
“Especially here in Ketchikan, during the winter, most of us are sedentary, so it’s important,” Clere said.
Results are not always what people think they’ll be.
Volunteer Marie DeLeon said one participant was surprised at how high his blood pressure was.
“I think it’s very much informative if they actually stop by and get it done,” she said.
Syden Santos agreed. She also was volunteering with the coalition and says some people can be surprised by their results.
“It’s a lot of factors affecting their risk,” Santos said. “Especially their age, their lifestyle, how they eat, their food, and they’re not aware about that.”
Another screening event is scheduled for July 23 at A&P Market.
Raegan Miller is a Report for America corps member for KRBD. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution at KRBD.org/donate.
