Uplifting The West Dallas Community With Free Health Resources

In 2022, the American Cancer Society reported an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases across the United States. In 2023, an estimated 139,100 of these cases will be in the state of Texas alone.

To help increase awareness of this prevalent disease, organizations recently partnered to bring education, information and health screenings to the West Dallas Community through a free health event. 

To kick-off the event on Friday, April 14, 2023, UT Southwestern Moncrief Cancer Institute offered free on-site mammography screenings through its Mobile Screening Clinic. The innovative 18-wheeler clinic supplied screening services by appointment, which provided 26 West Dallas community members with free access to mammography services.

On Saturday, April 15, during an extensive health fair, attendees had an opportunity to access information and connect with services in the community available to support their health.

All resources were found in one place at the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy, including:

• Breast, colorectal and skin health information and on-site blood glucose screenings provided by Parkland Health
• Biometric screenings including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, glucose, total cholesterol and more from CVS Health and its Project Health mobile care unit
• Colorectal cancer screening and testing information from Exact Sciences
• Information, support services and cancer screening recommendations from American Cancer Society
• Lung, breast, colon, liver and blood cancer screening materials and disease awareness information from Genentech
• On-site health screenings and information from Aetna
• Healthcare and services information provided by McKesson
• Home care/personal assistance, respite care and non-emergent medical transportation information from Caremate Wellness Solutions
• Palliative and end-of-life hospice services information and accessibility/sign-up information for Meals on Wheels program from the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas
• Asthma education and screening tools from Positive Breathing
• Resources and clinic discount information from Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic (includes adult health care, behavioral health, dentistry, marketplace, pediatrics, prenatal care and pharmacy)
• West Dallas resources and services information from Brother Bill’s Helping Hand and Buckner Family Hope Center (includes access to counseling, food pantry, dental clinic and eye care clinic)
• Health/nutrition information and cooking demonstration provided by Texas A&M Agrilife
• Job training and employment resources from the Community Council of Greater Dallas
• Medicaid information and resources for families and children provided by Amerigroup
• Healthy eating, exercise classes and services information from YMCA
• Activities, games, youth services and sign-up information from Mercy Street
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities for adults and children provided by Perot Museum
• Crafts and information on Fish Trap Lake community clean-up provided by National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)
• Public transportation information from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
• Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) information for access to free internet services from AT&T

DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas hosted the health event through the strategic direction of the American Cancer Society CEOs Against Cancer North Texas, a volunteer chapter composed of North Texas business leaders that are committed to improving cancer prevention, early detection and treatment support for their employees and the North Texas community.

DHA extends its deepest gratitude for the time, energy and services provided by each valued community partner. 

From healthcare services and much more, DHA’s community partners invest in DHA-supported families because they understand that their well-being affects the entire community. 

As DHA supports its families to achieve self-sufficiency, a wide variety of supportive resources are needed to help get them there. DHA community partners provide their energy, expertise and passion so that DHA residents may have a better quality of life.

For more information about CEOs Against Cancer North Texas, please visit: www.ceosagainstcancernorthtexas.com 

To learn more about DHA’s valued community partners, please visit: https://dhantx.com/community-partners/