BLOOD SCREENING
The Bemidji Rotary Club and Sanford Health host a Blood Screening event in Bemidji annually in May from 7AM to 10 AM for 3 days at Sanford Bemidji’s main hospital entrance (1300 Anne Street NW).  There is no pre-registration necessary. The cost is $35. The fee covers the collection of samples, a results report of analysis, professional analysis of samples, and refreshment after the blood sample is drawn. “Screening for preventable and treatable conditions with these blood tests can guide opportunities for improving your health”, stated Dr. Steve Rith-Najarian of Sanford Health and a Bemidji Rotary Club member. 
 
 
The profile of tests being offered during the Blood Screening include:
·    Cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins (HDL and LDL) to determine an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.  
·    Glucose or blood sugar test to detect diabetes or a pre-diabetic condition.
·    Hemoglobin to indicate anemia or bleeding.
·    Liver enzyme, ALT, to screen for liver damage or help diagnose liver disease.
·    Creatinine to indicate kidney function.
·    White blood cell count to measure the number of infection-fighting cells in the bloodstream.  
Bemidji Rotary Club member and event chair, Marilyn Miller, said, “Blood screen testing can indicate the risk of a heart attack or stroke, diabetes, anemia, liver disease, and kidney function.  Blood screen testing provides important information for diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.  It allows us to be proactive in managing our health conditions by knowing our personal test results and staying alert to changes.”
 
For accurate test results, participants should restrict food and drink 9-12 hours before the test.  It's okay to drink water.  If you have questions about taking prescribed medications, please contact your primary care provider.  Sanford Health My Chart users will have access to their screening results on testing day.  For those who prefer a printed copy of their results, results will be sent via postal mail.  
 
All proceeds from the Blood Screening event benefit projects of the Bemidji Rotary Club.