Blue Cross partners with West Side HS for Care Fair

CHICAGO — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is partnering with Cristo Rey Jesuit High School to give Westside families an opportunity to focus on their health and purchase turkeys ahead of the holidays.

“It’s really important to raise awareness and provide access to health for the community,” said Mayra Gradilla, interim director of Cristo Rey.

Families could get health screenings at the fair, as well as get updated COVID-19 and flu shots from the Chicago Department of Health.

With Chicago returning to an average level of COVID cases, city officials are urging residents to get updated vaccinations before holiday gatherings.

“We have been hit hard by the pandemic,” Gradillo said. “And during the pandemic, we realized the need when it comes to health care and resources.”

In addition to health screenings and vaccination boosters, hundreds of free turkeys and boxes of fruits and vegetables were also distributed at the fair just two weeks before Thanksgiving.

“The feedback has been great,” Gradillo said. “Many of our families, students, and parents were here [and] we’re just looking forward to doing more community events in the future.”