Two years ago, a podiatric surgeon in LA noticed a disturbing trend amongst his patients: far too many of them were black, diabetic, and losing a limb.  As a result, Dr. Releford decided to dedicate his life to helping solve the problem.  So, ingeniously, he started the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, in an effort to disseminate healthcare information to underserved men who seemingly weren’t getting the early-stage or preventative care they needed.  There are four phases of the organization’s mission: education, prevention, detection and referral, with a focus on both diabetes and hypertension (though they’ve since branched out to other diseases that disproportionately affect our communities).  The program takes its work seriously, and is active across the country: this Saturday in LA, not only will they provide complimentary screening for hypertension and diabetes, but they’ll give out free haircuts as well for added incentive.  Their goal?  To screen half a million men who otherwise wouldn’t have received care by 2012.  So how can you help?  Well, in the obvious ways: donate money, or better yet, get your corporation involved in sponsoring.  But if money is tight, you can still volunteer-both medical and non-medical help is needed, or encourage a barbershop to sign up.  Visit the Black Barbershop Outreach Program for more information.