Mill Creek church holds health fair for those without access

Published 1:30 am Saturday, August 12, 2017

MILL CREEK — Two people knew they had diabetes, but weren’t testing their blood sugar levels daily.

Seven women received digital breast cancer screenings.

More than two dozen people were screened for diabetes and high blood pressure.

Some 15 people had cheek swabs — the first step toward being a match for a potential bone marrow donation.

And 33 people donated blood.

It was all part of a community health day Aug. 5 sponsored by Gold Creek Community Church, and attended by about 100 people.

This was the third such event the church has organized to provide health checks to people who might not have access to health care.

“We just really feel that we’re supposed to be outside the four walls of the church,” said Cheryl Scheffer, the church’s volunteer coordinator and care and compassion pastor. “Jesus calls us to feed the hungry, to help people in need.”

The nonprofit Puget Sound Christian Clinic was among the groups providing medical checks at the event.

The organization has a bricks-and-mortar medical office near Haller Lake in Seattle. It operates a medical van that makes stops at Lynnwood, Snohomish and near Green Lake in Seattle.

It operates a dental clinic in Lynnwood with services provided on a sliding fee scale.

Two people at the Mill Creek health event made appointments with the group’s Seattle clinic for further checkups, said Candy McDonald, medical clinic director for Puget Sound Christian Clinic.

The clinic is welcome to all, she said. “One thing people need to realize is yes, we’re a Christian clinic and we want to show Christ’s love to anyone who walks through the door.

“We want to take care of them and make sure their health care needs are met.”

Gold Creek sponsored two similar health events last year. It also coordinates events with free dental services provided in collaboration with Medical Teams International. The next dental event is scheduled Sept. 30 at the church’s Mill Creek branch.

Health and dental screenings are part of the church’s outreach mission. The church houses the Mill Creek Community Food Bank. And church members provide dinner for the homeless on the first and third Sundays of each month at Central Lutheran Church in Everett.

“It’s not just about giving a big plateful of food at dinner,” Scheffer said. “It’s about caring for them and who they are.

“We send them home with sack lunches, toiletries and clothing.”

Scheffer said she dreams of adding other social services.

Someday, the church hopes to provide medical services at a separate building on its campus. “We feel it’s needed. We need money and grants to make it happen,” she said.

Scheffer said she also would like to find a way to provide housing for women sex workers, some of whom are teens.

About 2,000 people attend the congregation’s services. Gold Creek will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its founding next year.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.