Avon, CO – Back by popular demand! The Avon Recreation Center will once again be hosting free blood screenings on Monday, April 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Friday, April 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Eagle County Public Health conducted a needs assessment of Eagle County residents in 2005 with multiple community partners. Despite being noted as a “healthy” County, the assessment revealed the number one cause of death among Eagle County residents was cardiovascular disease (CVD).

CVD is caused by risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, overweight/obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, life expectancy could be increased by seven years if all forms of cardiovascular disease were eliminated.

Vail Valley Medical Center received a Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, and Pulmonary Disease grant from Denver Healthy to conduct FREE screens of uninsured and underinsured Eagle County resident for cholesterol, blood sugars, blood pressure, and body mass index to assess for cardiovascular risk.

For additional information on the fee blood screenings, please contact Claudia Hilty at 471-3258