In-Kind Fuel Donation of $10,000 Keeps Lions Mobile Health Screening Truck on the Road

Albina Fuel comes to the rescue.

Albina Fuel main office in Portland, Oregon

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The statistics are staggering. In Oregon, 591,000 residents are reportedly without health insurance and others live in rural areas where health care is not easily accessible. One of the few tools at accessing hard to reach people in need of healthcare is the the Lions Mobile Health Screening truck.

Logging 24,915 miles in the state of Oregon during the last year, the vehicle allowed healthcare pros to provide free health screenings to 23,416 residents of Oregon. Among those residents screened, 9,549 potential health problems were identified.

Due to a recent in-kind donation of $10,000 in fuel from Albina Fuel, the MHSU will be able to provide those free services to many more citizens throughout the state of Oregon. As the cost of fuel continues to rise, Albina Fuel's donation allows the Mobile Health Screening Program to continue traversing the state providing free health screenings to those who can least afford a doctor's visit.

A Lions Club spokesperson says the individual's stories are sometimes heartbreaking, while others are heartwarming.

"When you come across individuals who haven't been tested in years because they simply don't have the funds for a regular doctor visit, it breaks your heart," says Warren Heathman, driver and volunteer tester. "And its heart warming when you can advise someone that they should see their regular doctor because their vision or hearing isn't up to par, and they profusely thank you for helping them with this free service."

Residents from 238 communities across the state, stepped into the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation's Mobile Health Screening Unit (MHSU) during the past year to receive free testing for sight, hearing, blood pressure and other tests on board the traveling truck.

"Currently, over half a million Oregonians live with little or nor health insurance, and that includes 119,000 children under the age of 19," said Amber Kern, Executive Director of Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation. "The Mobile Health Screening trucks allow people to not have to make the choice to pay the rent or go to the Doctor for a checkup. The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation, with supporters like Albina Fuel makes access to preventable health services possible."