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Marie Johnson of Rockingham did not know she had high cholesterol until Friday.

She took advantage of Sandhills Regional Medical Center’s pre-draws for the health fair, which begin for hospital employees last week.

Johnson, a financial counselor for the hospital, said she got her blood drawn on Wednesday and on Friday, she received a call from her family physician.

“She said my cholesterol was terrible,” Johnson recalled. “I have never had high cholesterol before.”

Three days after the phone call, Johnson was on cholesterol medication.

“Had it not been for the health fair pre-draws, I would not have known I had this condition,” Johnson said. “This may have saved my life.”

The pre-draw period started Monday for the general public and the hospital has already served more than 300 people, some of those with similar stories like Johnson’s.

Here’s how it works: A person comes in to get their blood work done during the pre-draw period. By the end of the day, the lab results are sent to the physician that is listed by the participant.

If the participant does not have a doctor, he/she is presented with a list of family physicians at the hospital, from which they can choose.

If something is found to be alarming, that physician will contact the patient.

In the past three days, more than 300 people have taken advantage of Sandhills Regional Medical Center’s health fair pre-draws.

The pre-draws will continue on today and Monday from 7:30 to 11 a.m.

Cost is $15 for a blood profile; $10 for PSA (prostate blood test for men); and $5 for Hemoglobin A1C (blood sugar).

For those not taking advantage of the pre-draws, blood work will be drawn again on the day of the health fair, which is Saturday, April 28, from 8 a.m. until noon.

On that day, anyone who has had their blood work drawn can pick up their lab results and consult one-on-one with a physician.

All lab results not picked up will be mailed.

For more information, call 910-205-8121.