The Share & Care Foundation delivers hope and empathy to remote areas of India—and their own backyard
The Share & Care Foundation’s 8th Annual Health & Wellness Fair, held Sunday, October 20, 2019, at Hindu Samaj Mandir in Mahwah, New Jersey, provided health and wellness checks for 120 local residents who would not otherwise be able to afford these services.
Participants were overjoyed at the opportunity, and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the time and effort from devoted, hard-working volunteers, including medical professionals who ranged from internists to cardiologists. It is estimated that the professional services, free of charge to all participants, were valued upwards of $100,000. Their service also makes it possible for Share & Care to conduct the annual event at virtually zero cost.
Participants Receive Care Specific to Their Needs
Thanks to hours and hours of preparation from a team of volunteers ahead of time, each participant was given the one-on-one attention they deserve.
Participants were encouraged to register early so they could have blood drawn a week prior, October 13, at the same location. The free blood screenings made it possible to arrange one-on-one consultations with volunteer medical specialists during the Health & Wellness Fair, based on individual results. In all, 75 recipients pre-registered and 45 registered on the day of the event, October 20.
Each participant had their blood pressure checked and recorded along with their weight and body mass index. Internists and lifestyle managers, i.e., weight and nutrition specialists, reviewed each and made referrals as needed to volunteer specialists that included cardiologists, endocrinologists, neurologists, nephrologists, gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, pain management specialists, psychiatrists, and OB/GYNs. Some participants saw as many as four different specialists.
Flu shots were also offered and more than 70 were administered. Additionally, 65 participants took advantage of free eye screenings provided by participating ophthalmologists and the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Volunteer pharmacists, acupuncturists, physical therapists, massage therapists, and dentists were also on hand.
The annual event is the brainchild of Dr. Bharti Palkhiwala, who serves on the Share & Care board and as the organization’s “Healthcare to Unreached” program director. Working with a devoted team of volunteers, Dr. Palkhiwala joined forces with Dr. Savita Khosla to bring basic healthcare services to this year’s recipients.
Share & Care thanks all those who donated their time and resources freely for this worthy cause. Their kindness goes above and beyond. Share & Care also received an outpouring of enthusiasm at this year’s event and thanks all those who expressed interest in volunteering for this and other programs.
Thanks also to: Mystic Lifestyle, Healthcare Simplicity, Faith Home Health Care, Mohan Foundation USA, Valley Hospitals, and Quest Laboratories. And so many more.
