4,000 individuals attend Kids Care Fair at Loma Linda Diversion therapy was used while over 1,500 immunizations were given at the Kids Care Fair held at Drayson Center. It was another record-breaking year for the day-long Kids Care Fair held at Drayson Center on Sunday, August 24. Over 4,000 children, along with their parents, attended the fair--the largest Kids Care Fair site in the five-county region of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, and San Bernardino. About 30 fairs were held throughout Southern California during the weekend, "but Loma Linda's always has the greatest attendance," says E. Romayne Chinnock, the Red Cross' health fair specialist. "This is our premier site," Mr. Chinnock aDDS. "I think it's because of the draw of the name 'Loma Linda' and the quality of care the name 'Loma Linda' means to the public." This year, a new diversion therapy method was used while giving free immunizations to 1,500 children. "We had a child blow a noisemaker or bubbles to distract him from the pain of the immunization," says Leslie Young, MS, CCLS, director of child life services. "The immunizations are strategically positioned to be the final activity of the Fair for each child," says Jack Boren, MA, director of special projects, "because for the kids, it's stressful." Prior to receiving immunizations, children received other health screenings that included blood pressure, vision, dental health, height/weight, TB testing, and scoliosis and respiratory screening. Free chickenpox vaccinations were available courtesy of Merck & Co., Inc. Additional features of Kids Care Fair included clinics on pool-side drowning prevention and various sports. The Redlands and Riverside Cyclery team put on a stunt show outside in the pool and deck area. Fun things for kids included safety booths, crafts, clowns, and fingerprinting. Over 500 people volunteered their time to help make Kids Care Fair at Loma Linda a success. Kids Care Fair is sponsored by Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, American Red Cross, KABC-TV, Permanent Charities of the Entertainment Industries, and Sav-on Drugs. The vaccines were provided by the San Bernardino County Health Department. [Scope, Autumn '97 contents] [NEWSCOPE contents]   University | Medical_Center | LLU&MC_home | Search_&_index | News_&_events | Employment | Contact | Our_mission All contents copyright © 2001 Loma Linda University. All rights reserved. Revised Monday, January 8, 2001 3:07 PM Send comments and questions to webmaster@univ.llu.edu URL: http: //www.llu.edu