The Inter-Mountain photo by Sarah Goodrich Amy Coffman, a family nurse practitioner with the Physicians of St. Joseph’s, speaks Tuesday to Buckhannon Rotary Club members about an upcoming blood screening.

BUCKHANNON — In conjunction with WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, Buckhannon Rotary Club members are prepping for their annual spring fundraiser — a community blood screening.

Amy Coffman, a family nurse practitioner with the Physicians of St. Joseph’s, spoke to Rotarians about the upcoming blood screening during the club meeting Tuesday.

Coffman described what can be detected through these annual screenings.

“What is included in the basic Rotary blood screening? You get the CBC (complete blood count). You get a complete medical profile and you get a lipid panel,” Coffman said, adding there are extra tests offered to patients.

She explained the complete blood count serves as a screening tool for anemia, infections, chronic inflammation and acute inflammations. She noted the CBC includes red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infections; hemoglobin and platelets.

“Probably what gives us the most information about what’s going on in your body is the comprehensive metabolic panel,” she said, adding the CMP includes about 15 tests.

Within the CMP — outside of the electrolytes and glucose — a patient’s kidney function can be tested through BUN, which is the amount of nitrogen in the form of urea in the blood.

Screenings of cholesterol, CO2, potassium, glucose and sodium can also be tested for health issues through blood screenings.

Coffman commented the Rotary’s blood screenings are “a massive cost savings” for everyone — community members who are insured, under-insured or uninsured.

The spring blood screening will be from 6:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday and April 28 at the Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School and at the Community Care Clinic in Rock Cave.

Basic blood profile tests will cost $35. Optional testing for colon cancer and thyroid screening is available for an additional $5, PSA testing for $20 and Hemoglobin A1C for diabetes for $15. Accepted payment will include cash or a personal check.