Hackensack Meridian Health is set to host a community block party and health fair aimed at Caribbean and Latino families across New Jersey on July 13. The event seeks to address cancer disparities and provide essential health services and education.
The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the campus of Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and the Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) at 123 Metro Blvd., Nutley.
“This is a much-needed event, which will help our many neighbors who might not otherwise get all the services they need,” said Lisa Carter-Bawa, director of the Cancer Prevention Precision Control Institute at the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI). “Through these resources, we are hoping to set a precedent which will improve and lengthen lives heading into the future.”
Health services available at the event include blood pressure monitoring, diabetes screening (A1C), cholesterol screening, HIV screening, cancer screenings for breast and prostate cancers, self-sampling kits for cervical HPV screening, as well as hearing, vision, and dental screenings. Additional resources include education on genetic screening, legal services, and career opportunity representatives.
Family-friendly activities will feature a DJ, dance performances, face painting, game stations, balloons, food trucks, salsa and bachata dance classes, along with Caribbean and Latino vendors.
HMH has partnered with Quest Diagnostics and BD (Becton Dickinson) as Premier Sponsors; Eisai USA as Featured Sponsor; Ralph Lauren as Event Sponsor; while Screen NJ is providing free on-site cancer screenings and no-cost transportation support as a featured program partner.
Presenting partners for this event include Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center; CDI; Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center; Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine; and Hackensack University Medical Center.
