Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour makes stop in Snow Hill Monday

Aug. 19--SNOW HILL -- Early detection is the key to prevention.

The motto of the Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour was on display in Snow Hill Monday as residents were treated to free health screenings outside of the store.

Walgreens, along with AARP and the National Urban League, have come together for a 10-month tour to send six buses across the nation to provide free health tests, education and consultations to raise self-awareness about physical and internal conditions.

Tour Manager Joy Teal said there are several components included in the health screenings.

"We check cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose levels and do a comprehensive weight assessment, checking the (body mass index) as well," Teal said. "We want the people to know where they stand, so if there are any issues, they can work on fixing them now instead of becoming a problem later.

"This is a $100 value -- all free -- and you can get the results immediately. A lot of people don't have insurance, so this is another way they can ask questions and get a checkup without it. The process takes about 20 minutes and afterwards, you can receive a 1-year membership to AARP. There are just so many benefits to getting this screening."

Tara Daughtry, a shift lead at the Snow Hill Walgreens, said with the store just coming into town in March -- it was originally Kerr Drug before Walgreens purchased the chain last December -- the focus is on helping the community.

"We're trying to promote wellness and good health," she said. "We want to make sure the blood pressure and cholesterol of the people are in check."

Farmville resident James Bynum said the process was an easy one.

"I came out here to see what was going on and take a look at my blood pressure," Bynum said. "The whole screening was self-explanatory and I didn't have to go through a whole lot."

Snow Hill resident Pierre Thompasionas said he frequents Walgreens regularly and understood the importance of good health.

"I liked how everything was set up here, and the bus was a great thing to have here," he said.

Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.

To get your free screenings,

The Walgreens Way to Well Health Tour will be making its way to 140 N.C. 102 in Ayden today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit waytowelltour.com or email Gabriella Danza at [email protected]

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