“”Free”” was the theme for Saturday’s fifth annual Women’s Health Expo.

From free health tests to free samples – even free booths – vendors and patrons alike swarmed the event sponsored by the UA College of Pharmacy.

Anna Bice, senior coordinator of the event and a third-year UA pharmacy student, said the College of Pharmacy saw the need for a public event to raise awareness about different women’s health issues, so it seized the opportunity.

The event featured about 35 different vendors, ranging from Mary Kay beauty products to cancer awareness groups, groups with pregnancy tips and chiropractic companies.

The most popular attraction was the health screening room, where most of the attendees gathered. An entire room was designated for both men and women to be tested for free for a variety of medical conditions.

There were tests for osteoporosis, various skin diseases, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and pulmonary function as well as asthma screenings and immunizations. Bice said 100 people were tested for diabetes, but the most popular was the cholesterol level test.

For providing the free tests, none of the vendors were charged for their exhibits at the expo. As long as the company serviced the Tucson area in some way, all it had to do to get a table of its own was give an advanced request of participation to the College of Pharmacy.

Bice estimated between 200 and 300 people attended Saturday’s event, which was held at Pima Community College Downtown Campus.

“”This is a great way to provide health care to people who don’t have regular access to these types of services,”” Bice said. “”This could be the only opportunity all year that some people have to get treatment.””

The vendors benefited as well.

Amber Ranstrom, an associate with Client Care, a home health care service company that works with patients recently discharged from the hospital, said the event was a great way to increase the company’s client base.

Other gratuities included gift bags at the door, informational pamphlets, papers to sign up for company’s services, free samples of their product and some passed out candy. One chiropractic company had a setup that would test how evenly (or unevenly) people distribute their weight and how this causes other areas of the body to be misaligned.

Lindsey Hall and Christine Aguilar, both second-year pharmacy students, helped set up the event and then took a trip around the expo to see for themselves what was offered. Both women said they benefited from the information and services provided by the booths.

Paula Sumner, a representative for Arizona Physicians IPA, said the event was a great community outreach.

“”Lots of providers don’t have regular access to these types of services,”” Sumner said. “”This event allows them to get lots of information and treatment for free all at one place.””

Bice said there was a great turnout this year, and the College of Pharmacy plans to hold the event again next year.

“”People obviously need this event to help them stay healthy, so I don’t see any reason why we would stop providing them that opportunity anytime soon,”” she said.