A lot of people woke up early on Sunday, May 25 to attend a health and immigration seminar featuring information on the Red Cross, the Moline Township, Trinity Health Systems, diabetes, cardiology, colonoscopies, and immigration. The crowd was very appreciative of the information that was given in Spanish even though translators had a difficult time with some medical terms.
The Red Cross thanked the volunteers who reached out to the community and mentioned how the Red Cross is prepared in case a disaster strikes. They also invited the public to a June 7 Spanish Adult, Infant, and Child CPR and First Aid training from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1100 River Drive, Moline.
Joanie Clark of the Moline Township mentioned the services the township offered including assistance with rent, clothing, free notary service, and registering people to vote. The office is at 620 18th Street Moline and is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment. “Please don’t hesitate,” Clark said.
Berlinda Tyler-Jamison of Trinity Regional Health System talked about career opportunities in health care for Hispanics. Jamison mentioned how they wanted a diverse workforce. “We want people of color to become nurses, paramedics, and respiratory therapists by offering scholarships and special outreach programs, so that we’re prepared,” she said. “You have to help us bring students into school, please contact us. We have opportunities, while fields are closing, in health care the world as you know it, is browning. The world is growing; we need to prepare for it.”
The most popular part of the seminar was when Dr. Enrique Bringas spoke on diabetes. Bringas mentioned that diabetes is a terrible problem in the Hispanic community. “In Mexico, taco sales are down 50 percent but hot dogs, pizza, hamburgers sales have gone up,” he said.
To prevent diabetes, Dr. Bringas recommended that people exercise at any age. His three steps if one has diabetes are to take their medication, exercise, and have a well balanced diet.
Dr. Anis Ahmad noted that heart attacks are becoming more common. The people at highest risk are diabetics, people with high blood pressure, heavy smokers, people with high cholesterol, and most importantly those who are overweight and heavy smokers. He advised those with these symptoms to see a doctor as soon as possible. “Pain can be felt in the chest, shoulders, upper arms, neck, jaw and back. It can be felt in neck and mandible. It can be pain that may not feel like pain but can be felt in the upper abdomen,” he said.
Veronica Reyes one of the attendees for the event and said that it’s true about what Dr. Bringas said on diabetes and prevention. “One doesn’t know about the Red Cross, about Trinity and the opportunities that there are in scholarships, take advantage. I liked all the themes. People don’t take advantage of these opportunities like the Moline Township offering notary public for people tight on money. It’s all interesting.”
However, Reyes joked why they were offering Mexican sweet bread (pan dulce) which would raise people’s sugar.
Laura Raya, Immigration Coordinator for the Diocese of Davenport, spoke about current immigration laws and warned those who are not U.S. citizens to not claim that they are since it could affect them when they apply for the citizenship. She also warned that even though a permanent resident has the word “permanent” it doesn’t mean you can’t be deported; citing that three instances of driving under the influence can get your residency taken away and can result in deportation.
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