African American Student Services sponsored a fair Wednesday at Johnson Gym to provide the black community with information about common health problems, such as sickle cell anemia.
Jocelyn Gamble-Mims, an African American Student Services senior advisor, said one of the goals of the health awareness event was to provide information about diseases and other health related issues.
"We invited several organizations onto campus to give out information to students that would provide them with data that will help them better understand some of the diseases and illnesses that affect the African American community in general," Gamble-Mims said. "We also wanted to provide students with organizations that will help them if they find themselves struggling with any of these issues."
Davetta Wilson-Wells, community advocate for the Omega Project of Albuquerque, handed out literature about domestic violence among black women.
Wilson-Wells said domestic violence is a growing problem in New Mexico and that the Omega Project was founded to provide help for families with domestic violence situations.
Wilson-Wells said her organization is also available to help women with sexual assault, date rape, stalking and elderly abuse. Although the Omega Project primarily deals with black women, Wilson-Wells said all nationalities are welcome to seek the organization's help.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Two representatives from the United Blood Services were handing out information regarding bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants.
Fae Jones, coordinator for United Blood Services, said the need for bone marrow among black people is greater than it is among any other ethnic group.
"Some characteristics of marrow type are unique to people of specific ancestry. Although it is possible for an African American patient to match a donor from any ethnic group, the most likely match is an African American," Jones said.
The United Blood Services was also making appointments for students to donate blood.
The Sickle Cell Council of New Mexico sent a representative to the health fair to discuss the disease and inform black students about its characteristics.
Sheila Thomas, health educator for the Sickle Cell Council, was administering blood tests to see if those interested had a sickle cell trait.
"Sickle cell is a disease that is diagnosed by six months of age," she said. "However, unless tested, you may never know if you carry the trait, and have the possibility of passing it on to your offspring."
She said people are under the assumption that sickle cell only affects black people, but all races and genders can be affected.
The National Kidney Foundation of New Mexico was available to provide information and answer questions regarding kidney disease.
"More than 20 million Americans suffer from diseases of the kidney and urinary tract and nearly 50,000 Americans die each year," said Connie Burnett, executive director of the foundation. "We were excited to come out to UNM and pass out this much needed information. We'll take advantage of any opportunity to help people seek the services that they need."
