Women’s Fair heightens health awareness for locals

PALMER — You couldn’t find a group of women happier to be poked, prodded and tested than at Saturday’s Mat-Su Regional Women’s Fair.

Hundreds of women from around the Mat-Su Valley attended the fair with one goal: better health.

“I came because it puts to rest some questions I’ve had all year,” said Marla Bolinder, a grandmother of two who stood in line to receive free allergy testing at the Women’s Fair.

“I’m allergic to everything,” Bolinder said. She was at the fair looking for help coping with day-to-day pressures. “It’s something I look forward too, relying on other professional women for a little advice. It makes sense.”

In what has become an anticipated annual event for Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, vendors from across Alaska set up information booths inside the first-level floor of the hospital, with samples, demonstrations and education on fun dieting, alternative medicine and messages about breast cancer, domestic violence and heart disease.

The hospital’s once empty hallways were transformed into a colossal maze of booths, filled with inquiring minds, ready to ask questions.

And then there were the free goodies.

Attendees filled their white Women’s Fair grocery bags with free pens, sewing kits, chocolate, samplers and flyers of helpful information as they strolled.

It was trick-or-treat for adult women.

“This was no chintzy deal,” said Elizabeth Ripley, director of public relations at Mat-Su Regional Hospital.

Ripley said as the Women’s Fair gets bigger, the opportunities for women to learn more about their health status grows as well.

“We focused on many health issues this year that pertain to women, but awareness was the key. Many don’t know that heart attack symptoms are different for women than men,” Ripley said. “There’s tons as women we don’t know, or want to know,” she said. “Today was a day for women to come here and focus on their health, to see where they’re at. It’s their day.”

Medical staff from Mat-Su Regional set up stations with staff issuing lipid panel testing, blood glucose tests, self-breast exams, and skin cancer and allergy screenings, to name a few, all at no extra cost.

The results from most of these tests were not revealed at the Women’s Fair (blood-work results will be mailed later this week), but it gave many women an opportunity to learn more about their personal health and what changes should be made.

“It’s a puzzle,” Ripley said. “Many come in to the fair and have no idea that they have high blood pressure or cholesterol. Then they’re absolutely shocked at the results, sometimes. That puts the reality light on that awareness is the first step in making lifestyle changes. Changes for the better.”

Health food vendors, such as Juice Plus juice line and Medifast food products, gave away free samples and information on the benefits of eating healthier to feel better.

Pediatricians were on hand as well, providing parents with facts on how their children’s food choices today can greatly affect their future health choices.

Pharmaceutical companies, eye care doctors, travel agencies and wholesalers also lined the inner walls of the hospital, all giving away health tip and product information.

Women got a chance to play and learn as some participated in a booth-to-booth bingo game, picking up questions for the next vendor and if answered correctly, getting a chance to fill up their bags some more.

What do you take for a better heart? The answer: Fish oil pills.

Dr. Ellen Faucett and Dr. Peggy Downing, physicians at Mat-Su Regional, find that most woman-based ailments can be prevented with early detection and by providing information at events such as the Women’s Fair.

“Most people know what cholesterol screening is,” Downing said. “But we find many are not aware of other ailments such as uterine fibrosis or ovarian cysts. They’re real and they can be prevented.”

Over at the Juice Plus booth, Amanda Daniels stood next to an open bag of McDonald’s food. Next to the exposed, open faced cheeseburger is a small grease-stained bag of French fries, standing upright on the table. To the untrained eye, Daniels was about to enjoy her afternoon lunch.

“It’s a year old this week,” Daniels quipped. “Pretty gross, eh?”

Daniels heard from a friend that the preservative content in most fast-food products was so high, that it was almost impossible for it to fully decompose. Daniels decided to find out for herself and left the sandwich and fries in a bag behind the back seat of her car. She left it alone for one full year.

The result was an unchanged, almost timeless, display at her table.

Daniels delivered the attention grabber to curious visitors of the Women’s Fair to promote the “wholeness and goodness of Juice Plus,” a vitamin enhanced fruits and vegetable supplement line, for which Daniels is a distributor.

“Most people’s response with the McDonald’s food is, ‘I can’t believe it.’ It works,” she said.

Further down the hallway, Kathy Rocky and the a group of Mat-Su Regional medical surgery staff show off their “Quilt Pink Project,” a large pink quilt built from tiles that were decorated and sewn together to generate awareness for breast cancer.

“At some point we’ll auction it off,” Rocky said. “It gets a lot of attention from people who appreciate quilts, that’s for sure.”

Other vendors included Geneva Woods Pharmacy, Alaska Family Services, United Way of Mat-Su, Curves, Valley Dermatology Center and Mat-Su Health Services.

Many curious dieters received a chance to sit and meet Kai Hibbard, Alaska’s own “The Biggest Loser,” from the hit NBC show.

Hibbard, who lives in Eagle River, lost a total of 118 pounds, the most any woman on the show managed to lose.

At Mat-Su Regional Hospital, Hibbard spoke about how she lost the weight by working the hardest she’s ever worked. Nothing happened overnight.

“The best program is the one that works for you,” Hibbard said to the room full of inquisitive women. “Love yourself at any weight, but love yourself enough to do something about your weight.”

When one woman asked how she can ever get over the up-and-down weight loss that her scale constantly reminds her of, Hibbard responded: “Throw your scale away! Women are way too distracted by the numbers anyway. Let you clothes be the judge and adjust to what your body’s saying,” she said.

Hibbard said she lost the weight she’s always hated by finally surrendering that she needed help. She knew there was quick weight loss schemes, but didn’t trust them.

“Patience, eating healthier and exercising,” she said. “Who knew. It’s simple, but not easy.”

Mat-Su Regional Hospital, along with the other major hospitals in Alaska, recently made the decision to promote its dedication to healthier living and awareness by going smoke free on November 15, as part of the Alaskan Healthcare Partnership for a Smoke-Free Environment campaign. Employees and visitors are encouraged to quit smoking, stressing the new policy that no smoking will be permitted inside or outside the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center’s walls.

ELizabeth Ripley said that going smoke-free and having annual events, like the Women’s Fair help women remember they can start better living now, if they want it.

“The purpose of this fair is to bring to light that women’s health needs to be addressed,” said Ripley. “Whether it’s smoking, weight loss, heart conditions, whatever. Women need to be educated on what’s going on with themselves, and let the healing process begin.”

Contact J.J. Harrier at valleylife@frontiersman.com or 352-2269