An unexpected outpouring of volunteers from the South Sound’s medical community turned the Tacoma Dome into America’s largest doctors’ office Saturday.
More than 1,500 doctors, dentists, nurses and other medical professionals showed up for the one-day event, organized by the National Association of Free Clinics for people without medical insurance.
At the end of the day, volunteers outnumbered the patients – but not by much. About 1,500 people received medical or dental care during the day.
“This is the most volunteers we have ever had,” said Nicole Lamoureux, the association’s executive director. “Having this many people step up to help is overwhelming.”
At a brief orientation for the sea of volunteers, most wearing red T-shirts, Lamoureux said, “This is our first time on the West Coast. You guys did not disappoint.”
“This event will change your life,” Lamoureux promised them. “It will make some sort of impact on your heart.”
At 9:30 a.m., a half hour before the event was to begin, about 300 people were lined up at the Dome’s west entrance, some with appointments, some without.
Greeters ushered groups of 30 patients at a time onto the Dome floor, which had been transformed into a warren of offices and treatment rooms separated by blue curtains.
James Christenson, 58, of Spanaway, was among the first few dozen patients in the door.
Christenson is a self-employed metal recycler, collecting aluminum cans from trash bins in the Spanaway area and selling them for 50 cents a pound at salvage yards.
He said he has no medical insurance and has trouble paying for medication necessary for his high blood pressure. He heard about the free clinic through a friend of a friend, who is a nurse.
“I waited an hour to get in,” Christenson said, “but it wasn’t bad at all.”
Shortly after 11, Christenson was on his way out the door, having received a prescription, which he’ll be able to pick up at a local pharmacy. He’ll pay $4 for a 60-day supply.
“They should have done this a long time ago – back in the ’70s,” Christenson said. “There’s so many people out of work, it would be great if they could have one at least once a year.”
Craig Foster, 61, a professional musician and composer from Olympia, said he came to the Dome on the advice of a dentist friend who knew he had no insurance and thought he might get dental work done he otherwise could not afford.
As it turned out, Foster needed work more extensive than the mobile facilities were able to handle. He left with a referral for low-cost treatment later.
“This is tremendous,” Foster said. “It’s so helpful to know that there is an option to not getting care. When things go wrong physically, you worry about it, and it puts a cloud over your daily existence.”
The Tacoma clinic was the first NAFC event at which people were able to get free medication.
Michael Holmes, president of the St. Louis-based nonprofit Rx Outreach, said his organization donated 3,000 prescriptions for chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease for Tacoma’s event.
“The whole thing is, this is something good that the NAFC is doing, and we want to be part of it,” said Holmes, who attended Tacoma’s event wearing a red T-shirt, like other volunteers.
“As they say, ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’” Holmes said. “I think we need to help the less fortunate in life.”
Rob Carson: 253-597-8693
rob.carson@thenewstribune.com
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