Clinic brings health checkups to beach

Women can get a variety of free health services and still have their

day at the beach when the Laguna Beach Community Clinic brings its

mobile clinic to Main Beach from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 21.

The clinic plans to offer a free, comprehensive health checkup that

includes checks for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, anemia,

osteoporosis and anonymous HIV testing.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to touch women who may not

otherwise have access to regular health screenings,” said Ericka

Waidley, clinic executive director. “We are one of the only clinics

in Orange County to offer the newest 20-minute HIV test. What could

be easier -- and safer?”

The month of May -- officially recognized since 2002 in California

as Women’s Health Month -- has been designated to bring a stronger

public focus to the special healthcare needs of women. Regular

medical checkups serve an important role in identifying early warning

signs for diseases and conditions that, left undiagnosed and

untreated, could prove devastating in the long run.

Sponsors of this event include: Bristol-Myers, Glaxo SmithKline,

Johnson & Johnson, Nordstrom, SmithKline Beecham, Solvay

Pharmaceuticals, Squibb, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and

Ther-Rx Corporation. Other agencies and organizations partnering with

Laguna Beach Community Clinic include California’s Health and Human

Services Agency, Orange County’s Infoline, American Cancer Society,

and Community Alliance Network Orange County.

“We hope the women of our community will take advantage of the

opportunity to obtain these important health screenings and to visit

the Clinic’s modern, fully-functional mobile medical clinic,” said

Lynda Reidling, Community Outreach Manager for the Clinic.

As additional incentive, the first 200 participants will be

provided a gift bag thanks to Nordstrom Department Store. The mobile

clinic will be parked at Main Beach, between Forest and Broadway.

For more information call Waidley at (949) 494-0761, ext. 126 or

contact her by e-mail at ekwaidley@lbclinic.org.