The Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy was awarded a grant from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Foundation in conjunction with the Million Hearts initiative to conduct area health fairs in March as part of the “Heart to Heart Community Health Fairs” campaign.

The grant, in the amount of $1,000, provided funding for ONU pharmacy students to carry out health fairs in Hardin and Allen counties. Health Fairs took place at the ReStore in Ada, Ohio, on March 16 and at Rays Market on South Cable Road in Lima, Ohio, on March 23.

At the fairs, ONU pharmacy students performed free cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose/diabetes checks and provided information on immunizations, nutrition and cardiovascular conditions.

The NACDS Foundation and the Million Hearts initiative aim to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the U.S. over the next five years. The Million Hearts campaign was launched in September 2011 to help improve health across communities and help Americans live longer, more productive lives.