Memorial’s Be Aware Women’s Fair seeks nominations to honor Breast Cancer Survivors who have inspired others

[June 16, 2016]  SPRINGFIELD – Memorial’s Be Aware Women’s Fair is accepting nominations for breast cancer survivors whose cancer journeys have been an inspiration to others.

Nominations will be accepted until noon Thursday, June 30. Three nominees will be selected in a random drawing later that afternoon. Because the selection is a random drawing, people are welcome to nominate women from previous years who weren’t chosen.

People can mail their nominations to Super Survivor, c/o Memorial Medical Center Foundation, 701 N. First St., Mail Code 61, Springfield, IL 62781, or email them to [e-mail].  People can also nominate someone by going to the Super Survivors page at BeAwareWomensFair.com.

Each Super Survivor will receive a makeover including a visit to BJ Grand Salon and Spa the day before and the morning of the Be Aware Women’s Fair, free admission to the women’s fair, a new outfit to unveil the day of the event and other gifts.

Memorial’s seventh annual Be Aware Women’s Fair will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Nominations must include the following information: nominator’s name and phone number; nominee’s name, age and phone number; and a brief explanation of how the nominee’s cancer journey has been inspirational to those around her.

Admission to the Be Aware Women’s Fair is $4. Proceeds from Memorial’s Be Aware Women’s Fair will go toward the foundation’s breast cancer patient assistance fund, which provides financial assistance to breast cancer patients for items or services that can help meet basic needs, decrease stress or improve the healing process, such as compression gloves, wigs or premade meals.

An estimated 100 booths featuring local exhibitors will cover a wide range of topics, including finance, fitness, health, beauty, fashion, home decoration, education and nutrition.

The event will again feature numerous health screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, body fat and bone density.

The American Cancer Society will hold its annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk that same day at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. All registered walkers will receive free admission to Memorial’s Be Aware Women’s Fair.

Registration for the walk begins at 8 a.m. at the Commodities Pavilion, just west of the Grandstand. An opening program begins at 9 a.m. at the pavilion, with the walk to follow through the Department of Natural Resources area. The closing ceremony will be held about 10:45 a.m. on the stage at the Be Aware Women’s Fair.

For more information, visit BeAwareWomensFair.com or the event’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/MemorialsBeAwareWomensFair.

[Michael Leathers, Memorial Health Systems]