Memorial’s Be Aware Women’s Fair Returns to Illinois State Fairgrounds in October

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[September 17, 2016]  SPRINGFIELD – Memorial Medical Center’s Be Aware Women's Fair will return to the Illinois State Fairgrounds for its seventh annual event on Saturday, Oct. 8, providing women with a fun and informative day devoted to their physical, emotional and financial health.

An estimated 2,000 women are expected to converge on the Orr Building for the Be Aware Women’s Fair, which will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A $4 admission covers all exhibits and health screenings. A coupon for $1 off the admission price is available at BeAwareWomensFair.com.

“Many women are often juggling careers, taking care of elderly parents and taking charge of their families’ healthcare needs,” said Tiffany Lowers, system director of patient experience for Memorial Health System and chair of the Be Aware Women’s Fair organizing committee. “Memorial’s Be Aware Women’s Fair allows them to take some much-needed time for themselves.”

More than 100 exhibitors have been confirmed for the event. Exhibitors will cover topics such as fashion, education, finance, fitness, health, beauty and home decor.

This year’s Kids’ Corner, sponsored by Memorial Child Care, which features craft activities for different age levels of children, will include performances by Rachel Rambach, a music therapist and children’s performer.

Girls Love Mail returns to the fair. At the Girls Love Mail booth, participants can write encouraging letters to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Volunteers will have tips and guidelines for people on how to compose their letters on the day of the fair. An estimated 400 letters were written last year. Hy-Vee will donate desserts for people who participate in Girls Love Mail.

More than 20 free health screenings at this year’s fair will include blood pressure, cerebral aneurysms, body fat analysis, body mass index, blood sugar, spine health, anxiety and depression, lung function, migraine and varicose veins.

A 3D mammography unit will be on display in a booth near the entrance to the health screenings area. Participants will be able to see how the unit moves and works, and a technologist will be on hand to answer questions. Women will be able to schedule their mammograms while at the fair.

Other health initiatives include fitness age testing from Memorial’s SportsCare, stroke risk assessments by Memorial Stroke Center, bone density evaluations by Memorial Orthopedic Services, and shoe fittings by the Springfield Running Center.

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Proceeds from Memorial’s Be Aware Women’s Fair support the Memorial Medical Center 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.

Raffle drawings will be held at 11:15 a.m. and 1 p.m. Each raffle will include multiple prizes, and winners must be present to win. Another raffle for the fair’s grand prizes, which includes a pair of diamond earrings from Denney Jewelers, will also be held; winners do not need to be present to win the grand prizes.

The three women chosen as this year’s Super Survivors will reveal their makeovers at noon. The women are breast cancer survivors whose cancer journeys have been an inspiration to others. They were chosen in a random drawing of nominations in July. This year’s honorees are Kelli Fisher of Sherman, Carol Harms of Chatham and Michelle Buscher of Sherman.

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 BeAwareWomens Fair.com.

[Michael Leathers, Memorial Health Systems]

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