Event Story- Health Fair
Health/Niedfeldt
Friday, March 3, 2006
“Well you look like a healthy specimen,� said a volunteer from Life Source, as he extended his hand to greet guests at the Spring Health Fair.
Right away when students walked in past the island themed entrance table, Tom Sabrun, eagerly approached them to ask if they were organ donors. With a smile and a firm hand shake, Sabrun introduced himself and his thoughts on why people should think about becoming donors.
“People die everyday- It’s a shame to let organs go to waste,� said Sabrun.
Tom Sabrun, 62, volunteers a lot of his time to this national organ donating organization. He feels it is very important to spread the word.
‘Treasure Your Health’ was the theme of the UMD Health Services 2006 event. In the Kirby Rafters on March 1st, there were many organizations that had come together to educate students about their bodies and health. Life Source was just one of the many organizations that had a booth set up at UMD’s Spring Health Fair.
‘Spring Break Survival Kits’ which included band-aids, tips on alcohol poisoning, and condoms, were given away. With a poster that read, “Come put your pole in our hole, and see what you catch,� it attracted many curious guests.
“Yes! I got Chlamydia,� shouted Sophomore Suzanne Thompson, after she went ‘fishing!’ (Students either caught an STD, or a fact about various things related to spring break.)
The UMD campus police had a table set up that offered students the chance to wear ‘drunk goggles’ and walk along a straight, taped line on the floor; students from the Lake Superior Massage Therapy School offered 10-15 minute massages to those interested; and the Associated Chiropractic Physicians provided the option for students to get their tension levels tested in their necks and backs, then set a follow-up examination at the clinic if the student wanted to.
“Your health is very important to your families,� pointed out Sabrun to a couple of students.
While handing students’ forms to fill out; to declare ones-self an organ donor, he advised students to talk with their families about this decision.
“Nobody wants to find out after a loved ones death, said Sabrun, “that they decided to donate and didn’t let others know!�
“I’ve been an organ donor since I was a kid, shared Sabrun.�
Tom Sabrun, had an organ transplant in August of 2004. He received the heart of a 24-year-old man, who had died in a motorcycling accident.
“When Tom said that ‘You never consider that someday you might need one