Sumac Elementary School to host health fair, blood drive

Sumac Elementary School in Agoura Hills will be hosting a health fair from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Wed., June 4. The fair will include a blood drive to benefit Children's Hospital in Los Angeles.

Katherine Cassidy, Sumac special education teacher and chair of the event, said the day will focus on the so-called health triangle which teaches that there are three elements to a healthy person: mental/emotional health, physical health, and social health.

The students will visit various stations that focus on the three aspects of the health triangle.

From the social health aspect, the blood drive will emphasize the importance of being part of a community and giving to people in need.

One pint of blood can help save the lives of up to three children, Cassidy said.

Appointments are recommended as only a small number of walk-ins can be seen. The school's goal is to have 55 donors.

To make an appointment please call Katherine Cassidy at (818) 991-4940 x247.

Blood will be drawn in a state of the art, 39-foot van called the Max Mobile that can house five donors at a time. The Max Mobile was named after Max Beulow, a student at Lupin Hill Elementary School who lost his battle with cancer.

All Sumac students will be allowed to tour the Max Mobile.

Holly Pike, Sumac school counselor, has created different stations for students to visit and social skills games to play to spotlight the importance of a healthy social life.

The physical aspect will concentrate on fitness as well as good eating habits. There will be games at the different centers including a game where kids will estimate the amount of sugar in some of their favorite foods.

There will be goodie bags for all students with items donated by the Dairy Council and The Las Virgenes Water District. There will also be apples donated by Trader Joe's and a Luna Bar for every student and blood donor.

Sumac officials say they hope to make the blood drive and health fair an annual event.