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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 $5 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.
“Memorial’s Be Aware Women’s Fair allows women to take some much
needed time for themselves,” said Tiffany Lowers, system director of
patient experience for Memorial Health System and chair of the Be
Aware Women’s Fair organizing committee. “Many of them are often
juggling careers, taking care of elderly parents and taking charge
of their families’ healthcare needs.”
More than 80 businesses and local organizations have been confirmed
for the event. These exhibitors will cover topics such as apparel,
education, finance, fitness, health and home life.
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 25 free health screenings at this year’s fair will include
blood pressure, blood typing, cholesterol, aneurysms, blood sugar,
spine health, anxiety and depression, kidney wellness, 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.
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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.
A raffle drawing will be held at 12:30 p.m. 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 Laura Beth Pemberton of Rochester,
Tamiko Bilbro-Nicholson of Pawnee and Kim Hart of Edinburg.
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.
[Michael Leathers, MHS] |
