Winter Texans attend health expo

McALLEN - Winter Texans Don and Bev Felger spent their day getting a health workup

The Indiana natives each got blood pressure tests and blood sugar exams Wednesday at the annual Winter Texan Expo and Health Fair at the McAllen Convention Center.

"All of these checks are beneficial to us," said Don, who learned that, along with his wife, he may have low blood pressure.

Hundreds of Winter Texans learned about their health at the expo, which featured hospitals, insurance companies and rehab centers, all providing promotional materials and health information to the crowd of seniors.

The expo continues today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A steady stream of visitors checked out the Valley Baptist Health System booth to get their blood pressure and glucose examined. They were among the many exhibitors who offered those tests.

"It's good for them to be proactive," said Thelma Garza, who coordinates the health system's Seniors' Choice program.

Officials from Texas Oncology were on hand to promote a blood test that can tell patients whether they have a genetic mutation that predisposes them to colon, ovarian, uterine and breast cancer.

Knowledge of the mutation can help patients and doctors more closely monitor cancer symptoms, to try to catch the disease early.

Women with a predisposition to breast cancer can receive hormone treatments to help reduce the risk of actually developing the disease.

"We feel it can save a lot of lives," said Debbie Gillett, advanced oncology nurse practitioner with Texas Oncology.

There was more lighthearted fare at the show, too. Raffles were held throughout the day, and vendors were hawking everything from LASIK eye surgery to fruit juice to custom-fitted footwear.

The event even featured entertainment, including a John Wayne impersonator and a folk band.

Winter Texans Nancy and Wayne Kenyon, of Indiana, said they come to the expo every year for the entertainment and the health information.

"It's a little bit of both," Wayne said.

Ryan Holeywell covers McAllen, PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.