Larry Roberts urges men to take part in SAMC’s Community Health Fair

Larry Roberts has an important message for the men of the Wiregrass area. Take part in the Community Health Fair for Men, presented by the Southeast Alabama Medical Center, Saturday, August 22, at Northview High School.

The former standout at Northview High School and The University of Alabama who embarked on an eight-year career with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers knows, from personal experience, the importance of health screenings.

“The importance of having screenings done early is that you may prevent more difficulties later,” said Roberts during last week’s press conference at SAMC to announce his participation as spokesman for the health fair. “Like me, like most men, especially a lot of black men, they choose not to go to the doctor. They don’t want to know.”

Roberts says his association with a group in Atlanta, where he makes his home with his wife and two children, Take a Friend to a Doctor, has encouraged him to get needed screenings to protect his health.

“I realized I needed to start getting the screenings,” Roberts said. “But, honestly, it took a couple of friends on the West Coast to have an illness to get me going, to be tested. This is a life-and-death situation. Preventive screening is the best thing you can do.”

He says men should get over the fear of the unknown.

“Like NIKE says, just do it,” Roberts said. “Many men have a fear of finding out something is wrong. If there is a problem, you should want to know. I found out a few years ago that I was a diabetic. Screening is something the men of the Wiregrass should have done. Make it something that’s fun. Take the fear away.

“This health fair is a wonderful idea. The whole family should get involved. Show that you care about your family members, your friends. I hold this near and dear to my heart. I had a friend pass away from colon cancer. Early detection through events like this is important.”

The free screenings on August 22 will be conducted in the Northview High School gymnasium. Everyone who attends this event are asked to bring non-perishable food items. These items will be donated to the Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 712-3336 or 1-800-735-4998.