The Texas Horsemen’s Assistance Fund, Inc. (THAFI) will be conducting a health fair in the Recreation Room at Retama Park on Tuesday, September 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It will be the next-to-last THAFI health fair for 2003, with the final one scheduled for Lone Star Park on November 4.

THAFI, one of the organizations that make up the Texas Horsemen’s Partnership (THP), oversees the benevolence fund, appreciations parties, movie and dinner nights, track doctor visits, and annual health fairs conducted by the THP. So far in 2003, THAFI has conducted two health fairs, and attendance at both was outstanding.

After the health fairs, THAFI receives reports detailing the results of testing done at the fairs, though the results only give statistics and do not include any names of the horsemen tested. According to the lab reports received from the health fairs, our backstretch community is plagued by high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Of course diet, exercise and stress contribute a great deal to these ailments for our horsemen.

LifeLine Ultrasound Screening services will be attending both the September and November fairs. LifeLine screenings are not evasive and easy to perform without disrobing. The screenings will check for heart blockage, bone density capacity, and abdominal aneurysms. The value of all the tests performed is phenomenal and available to the majority of backstretch workers. Anyone interested in the LifeLine screenings for the upcoming Retama Park Health Fair should contact Kris Davis in the Race Office Building. Kris' phone number is (210) 651-7004.

Efforts are under way to hopefully have mammogram screenings at Sam Houston Race Park in January of 2004. Anyone who is interested in the mammogram screenings should contact THP Benefits Coordinator Nancy Nichols at (512) 467-9799. Women must be over 40 years to age to be considered for the screenings.

Anytime you have a question regarding any benevolence activities, feel free to contact your local track representative. Kris Davis is at Retama Park, Tami Hare at Lone Star Park, and Evenly Milner at Sam Houston Race Park.

THAFI welcomes feedback and suggestions for activities at any time. For possible implementation of new programs, feel free to contact Nancy Nichols at (512) 467-9799.