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 An estimated 2,000 people are expected to converge on
the Orr Building for Memorial's 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; children 12 and younger receive free admission. 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 business and local organizations have been confirmed
for the event. These exhibitors will cover topics such as fashion,
education, finance, fitness, health, beauty and home decor.
A Kids’ Corner, sponsored by Memorial Child Care, will feature craft
activities for different age levels of children.
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.
More than 20 free health screenings at this year’s fair will include
blood pressure, aneurysms, blood sugar, spine health, anxiety and
depression, lung function, leg health consultations and migraines.
Other health initiatives include stroke risk assessments by Memorial
Stroke Center and bone density evaluations by Memorial Orthopedic
Services.
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.
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A raffle drawing will be held at noon. The raffle includes
multiple prizes, and winners must be present to win. Another raffle for the
fair’s grand prizes will be held at 1 p.m.; 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 Jennie Creswell of Sherman and
Ally Fairfield of Jacksonville and Kara Pecoraro of New Berlin.
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 BeAware WomensFair.com.
[Michael Leathers
Memorial Health Systems]
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