The Health Awareness/First Aid Committee is responsible for providing a medical overview of information about healthcare, wellness, prevention and first aid to visitors at AFR'AM FEST 2002.

The 19th Annual AFR'AM Fest, hosted by the Southeastern Virginia Arts Association (SEVAA), will not only entertain and educate attendees about African-American art and culture, but will help with health awareness as well. This year's festival, held Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-27) at Town Point Park in Norfolk, Virginia, hopes to help save lives by educating festival attendees on the importance of giving blood and staying healthy.

The American Red Cross will host the AFR'AM Fest 2002 Blood Drive in Town Point Park on Saturday, May 25 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The goal of the festival is to receive a minimum of 45 pints in six hours.

In addition to the blood drive, the Red Cross CPR Training Unit will be available for questions and demonstrations. The Sickle Cell Association, Lifenet, Lions Medical Eye Bank, International Black Women's Congress (IBWC)'s Minority Aids Project, and Faith Deliverance Christian Center's Challenge Ministry will also be available.

Norfolk Community Services Board will have representatives from the Coalition on Minority Mental Health, and Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services in attendance to provide information about the services that they provide. Also, the Norfolk Health Department will have representatives available to discuss asthma education.

The Hampton University School of Nursing will provide its Mobile Health Education/Screening Unit. Sheila Garris, MD will be on hand to perform Dysmetabolic Syndrome Screening, which is screening for diabetes, hypertension and abnormal cholesterol. The equipment for this screening was provided by a grant from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Garris will also oversee Bone Density Screening, which tests for osteoporosis. Wyeth Ayerst Laboratories provided the equipment for this test.

Even with all of these screenings and information centers, the blood drive will remain a central part of the festival. It is estimated that only 5% of eligible donors give blood. Of this small percentage that does donate, only 8.1% are African-Americans. This is problematic for several reasons.

Blood type is an inherited trait, and the best match for a blood transfusion is usually found in a donor of the same racial, ethnic and genetic background as the recipient. African-Americans have rare blood types, such as U-Negative and Duffy-Negative, that are unique to the African-American community. Also, O and B blood types occur in higher frequencies among African-Americans.

African-Americans have a high incidence of sickle cell anemia, cancer, heart disease, and the need for organ transplants, which is one reason information about these conditions will be provided at AFR'AM. These illnesses often require blood transfusions. African-American patients with rare blood types or those who need repeated blood transfusions are best treated with blood from African-American donors.

Each donated unit of blood can help up to four people. The blood is processed and separated into its component parts to help as many people as possible. For example, red blood cells help patients with chronic anemia or acute blood loss. Platelets help those undergoing cancer therapy, recovering from organ and bone marrow transplants or those with leukemia or aplastic anemia. Plasma may help patients with severe liver disease, clotting deficiencies, or serious burns.

Donating blood is safe for both the donor and the recipient. Each needle is sterile and disposed after a single use. Every unit of blood is run through up to 12 tests to ensure patient safety, including tests for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis.

The actual donation of blood usually takes less than 10 minutes, and donors receive a mini-physical that includes a blood pressure screening and an iron check.

Eligible donors must be in good health, over 17 years old, and weigh over 110 lbs. Individuals with health conditions, such as high blood pressure or anemia, may still be able to donate if the condition is under control on the day of the donation. Many medications are still acceptable for giving blood, including those taken regularly to control a medical condition. Volunteers at the blood drive will have more specific information, and will be able to answer any questions about eligibility.

Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the country lined up to donate blood in the hopes of helping those injured. While that was a heart-warming and appropriate response to the tragedy, blood is needed year-round. The blood donated at AFR'AM will be used to help people struggling through personal tragedies and emergencies. Richard Love, Afr'Am Fest project director, will kick off the donation drive by donating the first pint.

SEVAA hopes to receive at least 45 pints of blood for the American Red Cross, a task that should be easy with the thousands of people who attend the festival each year.

Additional volunteers are always welcome. If you are interested in volunteering, please call us at (757) 456-1743 or email us at rlove@aframfest.com.