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 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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