Ladies flock to Women 4 Wellness Fair
Nicole Tavenner
Women pack the floor of Salish Kootenai College gymnasium for the Women 4 Wellness health fair.
Nicole Tavenner
Women-themed art greets ladies as they enter the 2015 Women 4 Wellness health fair. More than 900 ladies preregistered for the event.
Nicole Tavenner
Frances Abby shows good health means more than eating fruits and veggies or taking medicines when told. A nice massage can help the body’s muscles.
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Nicole Tavenner
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Megan Strickland
Megan Strickland
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PABLO – The floor of Salish Kootenai Gymnasium was a packed madhouse with a din of noise, but there wasn’t a cheering fan to be found last week, as women from around the valley utilized the space to take a pulse on their overall health and get informed about how to be better advocates for wellness at the Salish Kootenai College Center for Prevention and Wellness Women 4 Wellness Health Fair.
The health fair is an annual event that brings healthcare providers from across western Montana together so that people can have a one-stop shop for finding out more information about taking care of their overall health. The maze of vendors included shiny interactive game-show style wheels where tribal health officials quizzed attendees about different diseases, with prizes awarded for correct answers. Next door Lake County Health Department’s Family Planning nurse had a tool kit packed with every form of birth control imaginable: pills, intrauterine devices, diaphragms, female condoms, and male condoms. Down the way, a vendor with essential oils explained how her wares could help ailments and improve quality of life. A veteran’s booth nearby offered mental health resources and people hugged each other in support at a methamphetamine awareness setup down the way.
And then there were the testing lines. Stretching outside curtained booths were people 20-and 30-deep, waiting for a chance to get cervical exams, breast exams, bone density tests, routine blood panels, HIV testing, checks for skin cancer, and Hepatitis C tests – all free of charge. Some come out normal and let people know everything is fine. Others indicate something might be wrong, and mean a follow-up is necessary. Life-threatening illnesses have been found at the fair every year.
“It is the most wonderful thing for women and men,” Ronan resident Ronna Walchuk said. “I think it provides services that we probably neglect and we know we can come here and be taken care of.”
Walchuk came to the fair with her mother. Others brought friends, family members, and coworkers and encouraged them to stay well.
“I brought my whole crew with me from work,” Ronan resident Kandi Davis said. “Everything here is important for your health and happiness. You can get it all done at once.”
Event organizer Niki Graham said the turnout for the event was great. More than 900 women had preregistered for services, and a steady stream of people was seen filtering through the entrance’s sign up. More than 120 volunteers helped the day run smoothly.
“Without the volunteers, this is a day that can’t be pulled off, so I have much gratitude for everybody who helped us,” Graham said.
The monumental event has been funded with grant monies in the past, but that grant has run its lifespan, meaning new sources of funding are being sought out. People who want to contribute to the fair can participate in the Center for Wellness’ 5k Run/Walk on June 13 at Salish Kootenai College. The race begins at 9 a.m.
