GUYTON — A lot of potentially fruitful ideas end up dying on the vine because nothing is done to nourish them. 

Michael Gerwig didn’t let that happen to a thought he had. He went right to work cultivating the City of Guyton Resource Fair on the Trail.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has scared a lot of people,” Gerwig said. “I thought, ‘Why don’t we bring (medical) people in so that people can get to them?’ People weren’t going to hospitals and getting their screenings.”

After receiving approval from the Guyton City Council, Gerwig, a two-time cancer survivor, moved to rectify that problem by inviting multiple health professionals and organizations to the Resource Fair on the Trail on March 18-19. 

“Just mammograms alone, screenings are down 87 percent compared to the beginning of the pandemic,” Gerwig said. “That is a serious number. The (American Medical Association) is saying cancers will be the next pandemic that America faces due to delayed or postponed screenings.

“... I thought, ‘We can’t let this happen. We have to get more awareness out there.”

Gerwig’s invitations were well received. The Red Cross Bloodmobile and representatives from Memorial Hospital, the Coastal Georgia Health District, Medicap Pharmacy, Two Rivers Health Clinic, the Effingham YMCA and nutrition specialist Barbara Smart will be on hand March 19 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on the Guyton Walking Trail on Central Boulevard.

“I shot big,” Gerwig said. 

Memorial Hospital will perform colon cancer screenings. In other activities,  Steve Yekel, a State Court judge candidate, Effingham County Clerk of Court Jason Bragg and Mark McGregor, a Republican lieutenant gubernatorial hopeful, will engage with the public. Local author Suzi Bohi will conduct a book signing..

A scheduling issue forced a slight alteration to Gerwig’s original p.

“Since the (St. Joseph’s/Candler 3-D) mammogram bus can’t be there on a Saturday, (the resource fair) will be a two-day event,” he said.

The mobile mammography unit will be situated at the City of Guyton’s gym at 505 Magnolia St. on March 18 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 

Annual screening mammography is a covered benefit under most insurance plans. Financial aid is available for those without insurance.

To schedule a mammogram and/or inquire about eligibility guidelines, call 912-691-9321.

Gerwig is still searching for some singers or musicians who play acoustic instruments. Interested parties can reach him at (912) 944-5838.

“Anybody else who is interested in joining can also contact me,” he said.

Gerwig expects the event to be a big success and is already planning a 2023 Resource Fair on the Trail. 

“I’m really anticipating about 1,000-plus people,” he said.