Over 40 Groups To Participate In Senator Farley's Healthy Heart Day

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C - Schenectady) announced over 40 health providers, government agencies and non-profit organizations are participating in his fifth annual Healthy Heart Day, slated for Thursday, Feb. 14th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Riverfront Center in Amsterdam.

In case of severe weather, the event will be postponed to Friday, February 15th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. "Last year, we got four feet of snow on Valentine's Day," Senator Farley said. "We had to cancel the event because people shouldn't be traveling in that type of weather. If the weather is bad this year on February 14th, call my office to verify the event's time and date."

At the Healthy Heart Day health fair, free blood pressure screenings will be offered by Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Ambulance Corps (GAVAC), Home Health Care Partners and Montgomery County Public Health. Amsterdam Memorial Health Care will be providing free diabetes testing and pulmonary function testing. Audiologist Mark Caffrey will conduct hearing screenings. Fulton County Office for the Aging will discuss its service delivery and nutrition program while the Montgomery County Office for the Aging will provide information on its Care & Share, employment and HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) services.

Several New York State agencies will also be participating. They include Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program, Attorney General's Office and the Comptroller's Unclaimed Fund Unit.

Fort Johnson resident and avid runner, Tony Scott, will be selling paper hearts on behalf of the American Heart Association. Mr. Scott has run in the Boston Marathon in his 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. He is training to run in the 26 mile event next year.

Amsterdam radio station WCSS 1490 AM will conduct a live broadcast from the event.

Other participants in the annual health fair include: American Red Cross, AVON by Marian Playford, Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer!, Community Health Center, Consumer Credit Counseling, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Fidelis Care, Fulmont Community Action Agency's Head Start and WIC programs, Fulton County Public Health, Domestic Violence & Crime Victim Services, Hamilton - Fulton - Montgomery Prevention Council, HealthLink, Hispanic Outreach Services, Lincare, Maxim Health Care Services, Mental Health Association, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Nathan Littauer Hospital's Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus programs, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), Occupational and Environmental Health Center of Eastern New York, Price Chopper, St. Mary's Hospital, The Best That You Can Be, The Community Hospice, The Family Counseling Center, The Family Room, and Turning Point.

"This event is not just for the residents of Amsterdam. It is a free event open to everyone. Having a healthy heart affects everyone," Senator Farley said. "I also encourage employers to promote this event to their workers. A healthy employee means a productive employee."

For more information about Healthy Heart Day, contact Senator Farley's Amsterdam District Office at (518) 843-2188. Other health organizations that wish to participate in this event should also call this number.