|
 Mercy Health Center invites the
community to join with 65 other communities across the US in the
sixth annual national Spirit of Women Day of Dance for Health on
Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 9 a.m.- noon at the Fort Scott
Middle School. The event will combine the fun of dancing to
different forms of music, such as rock ‘n’ roll, country, salsa and
hip hop, with health screenings and consumer education on heart
disease and other women’s health issues.
Although in its sixth year
nationwide, this is the third year that Mercy Health Center’s Spirit
of Women program has sponsored the event. Nationwide, more than
75,000 participants are expected to dance for their health in the
hopes of creating healthier communities.
Locally, the event will feature a
keynote address by St. John’s – Joplin Cardiologist Dr. Jose DeHoyos
pertaining to women’s cardiovascular awareness and health.
Participants will also receive dance lessons from talented
instructors who teach throughout Southeast Kansas and Southeast
Missouri. Area businesses which have partnered with Mercy’s She
Power Consumer Rewards program will provide women with an on-site
shopping experience as well.
Dancing can burn as many calories as
swimming, walking, or riding a bike (as many as 200-400 calories per
hour). If done on a regular basis as a form of exercise, many health
benefits result including weight maintenance or weight loss, blood
pressure and cholesterol management (lowering), increased energy,
increased coordination and muscle strength, decreased sadness and
depression, and an overall sense of well-being. In addition, dancing
can help develop new social connections as well as enhance and
strengthen relationships.
“Day of Dance for Health not only
increases awareness of heart and vascular disease and its risk
factors, but inspires immediate action for better health,” said Reta
Baker, Mercy Health Center President and CEO. “This program exposes
women to the powerful concept that doing something fun, like
dancing, is the right ‘steps’ to a healthier future.”
“On February 27, I encourage you to
take charge of your health – dance and become educated about healthy
choices you can easily incorporate into your lifestyles, as well as
the personal warning signs for which women and their families should
recognize,” Baker added.
Nearly 500,000 women die each year of
cardiovascular disease, making it the leading cause of death for
American women. One in two women will die of heart disease, yet they
continue not to personalize their individual risk for cardiovascular
disease.
The Day of Dance for Health is a free
event, but tickets are required and are limited to two tickets per
person. Tickets are available at three locations in Fort Scott: The
Mercy Health Center Registration Desk at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.;
The Mercy Medical Plaza Registration Desk at 902 South Horton; and
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce at 231 E. Wall St.
For more information about the Day of
Dance for Health, call the Spirit of Women Coordinator at
620-223-2200 ext. 2610. |
