By Dianne Anderson

For well over a decade, Beverly Rouzan, outreach coordinator for the Cathedral of Praise International Ministries, has noticed a few things along the way about the community as her church has helped thousands access free health resources.

She is seeing more young people with advanced health issues, with lumps and bumps, or dealing with problems that she wouldn’t expect so early on, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

One young lady, African American, was only 29 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“She was on chemotherapy, she’s a breast cancer survivor. I host various breast cancer events at our church to get the congregation and community [involved],” she said.

This year, Susan G. Komen Foundation is bringing a breast cancer screening van to the site. Last year, the event drew about 150 participants. Rouzan is also hoping for similar or better participation of their free lineup of services this time around.

On Saturday, September 30, At least 15 vendors have been confirmed to provide free services, among them Wal-Mart is coming out for its second year to provide immunizations.

The Department of Aging will bring resources for seniors, and Cal Baptist University will bring their nurses for on-site screening for blood pressure and help the community understand health issues. One nonprofit will talk about Medical benefits, especially with the attack on Obamacare looming.

The event runs from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, located at 3030 N Del Rosa Ave, in San Bernardino.

Other healthcare providers and nonprofits will also be on site. She said the church consistently offers free nutrition classes, along with weekly food distribution.

In July, their Red Cross blood drive was also successful, she said, having pulled out 152 community members signed up to donate. They had six booths at the church set up for the drive.

“We received 52 pints of blood out of that drive out the door, as they say, although we had 100 and something come in to try [to donate],” she said.

Most donors were African American, and mostly younger women. Of over 100 potential donors, about half were not allowed to donate because they were anemic.  She feels their low iron is diet related, which is why there is still a great need to get information to the community about how to take care of their bodies.

Since the Red Cross will not take blood if a donor is low on iron, she said they try to get blood building recipes out months before the drive so donors can be ready.

“It’s been a challenge to get them to eat appropriately, but they’re learning,” she said. “We [network with] the Heritage Health movement set up by San Bernardino County. They come out and give them healthy eating habits and exercise programs.”

Every Tuesday, the church hosts its Spiritual Vitamin “C” outreach. On Wednesdays, they have Young Mother’s Ministry, and Men of Joshua meetings. Extra calories also get worked off at the end of the week with their Dance Ministry Rehearsals.

She is most proud of their Biggest Loser Challenge program held the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. with prizes and fitness tips.

“We have people come and weigh in, and focus on how to lose their weight,” she said. “We give incentives to help the community come to grips with — okay, you’re overweight, let’s see how we’re going to help you lose the weight.”

She said the programming is very close to her heart.

Whatever the reason, with motherhood, and always putting the kids first, she said that many women neglect their own health needs.

“Healthy eating, health habits, we as Black women need to learn a better way of caring for ourselves,” she said.

To volunteer or get in healthy programs, contact 909.474.1005 or see http://copim.org