2011 Women's Health Faire serves 130 women
The Women's Health Faire was held on April 16th 2011 and was a booming success serving 130 women. For the past 9 years, the Conejo Free Clinic has held this annual community service. It is done in partnership with Kaiser Permanente of Ventura County, Quest Diagnostics and Medical Diagnostic Imaging, all local organizations.
In the span of 4 hours, over 100 women are seen and receive free mammograms – a full panel of lab work and pap testing. The women who do not have a mammogram done the day of the health fair are given a voucher for a later mammogram. The Thousand Oaks Rotary Club "Bear Hugs for Mammograms" pays for these free mammogram at Medical Diagnostic Imaging.
The Women's Health Fair operates on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 8 AM. There are no fees or qualifications and every woman is welcome. Women come from many surrounding communities. Like a clinic or doctor's office, all information is confidential. The clinic is held at the Kaiser Permanente facility at 365 E Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks, Ca.
Case Story: Lori was one of those women. Her mammogram came back abnormal and an ultrasound revealed a suspicious tumor. Her biopsy came back positive for breast cancer. A lumpectomy was performed and chemotherapy was started. Lori's long journey proved a successful recovery – and she now is an advocate for breast cancer awareness at the Conejo Free Clinic and in the community.
"Preventative care is often passed over when day-to-day living expenses are spread thin. It is unfortunate that many people will not seek care until they have symptoms, or in some cases ignored symptoms become a crisis. Our goal is to make preventative care and screening available, keeping patients out of the emergency room, and away from crisis point"
