Make-a-Difference Day is an unofficial day of observance that emphasizes community service and volunteerism. It has been celebrated on the fourth Saturday of October since 1992.
Traditionally, Altrusa has focused on a literacy project in honor of Make A Difference Day. This year, they have initiated a project that will take their efforts one step further.
Literacy, although usually referencing the ability to read and write, also can be defined as being competent or knowledgeable in a specified area.
Health literacy can help prevent health problems and protect our health, as well as better manage those problems and unexpected situations that happen. If you aren’t familiar with medical terms, health conditions, and how your body works it can over-complicate self-care.
“We don’t want this to just be a health fair,” Pampa Medical Group practice manager Jennifer Richards said. “We want this to be a community event. A day to make a difference. This is all sorts of different civic clubs and organizations working together and putting a little bit of what they can do to help.”
Altrusa, Pampa Medical Group, Interim Home Health and a few other healthcare-focused businesses in the community will host a Health Fair style event at the South Side Senior Center, located at 438 W. Crawford, to help promote health literacy.
“We think a lot of people on the south side of Pampa don’t feel like they have access to the education and/or think they can’t afford the education on this information,” First United Methodist Church minister and Altrusa Member Ruby Moultrie said.
“I was raised on the south side and I only went to the doctor for emergencies. We want people on the south side to know they haven’t been forgotten or excluded from being educated about themselves and how to better their health education.”
Events like these are important for the community. Having some understanding of healthcare can help you navigate so many decisions. Choices for your diet, regular doctor visits, and activities are all impacted by your understanding of general health.
According to the Center for Disease Control, being health illiterate can cause issues in the following ways:
• Not familiar with medical terms or how their bodies work.
• Having to interpret statistics and evaluate risks and benefits that affect their health and safety.
• Being diagnosed with a serious illness and are scared and confused.
• Having health conditions that require complicated self-care.
• Voting on an issue affecting the community’s health and relying on unfamiliar technical information.
If any of these topics hit home with you, please consider attending the Make A Difference Day at the South Side Senior Center on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event will feature a meal, giveaways and a variety of vendors booths including, but not limited to Altrusa speaking about Relay for Life (how to be involved) and story-time with the kids; Women’s Health Clinic will be doing breast cancer awareness; Dr. Angela Jones, OBGYN for Pampa Regional Medical Center, will be giving information; Pampa Medical Group will give flu shots and community resources; Dr. Luke R. Hinshaw of PRMC will be available; Joan Gray-Soria of Texas A&M AgriLife will be doing a program on healthy living and nutrition; information about free transportation services.
You will have the opportunity to visit with physicians and ask questions regarding their practice as well.
“We’re just trying to make a difference. Even if we just touch one person’s life, it’s worth it,” Moultrie said.
“When I entered the ministry I said if one person’s life is changed from my life of ministry it’s worth it. Same thing with Make-A-Difference Day, if one life is changed by being educated or something health-related, it was worth it.”
Come by and visit with the following teams to learn about your health: Altrusa, PRMC, Pampa Medical Group, Interim HealthCare, Gray County Extension Office and more.
Vendor booths are still being accepted and for more information call Jennifer Richards at 806-661-8245.
