The healthiest destination in the region this weekend will be Apple Blossom
Mall in Winchester! The Valley Health Community Wellness Festival will
fill the mall on Saturday, February 27, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., offering
free and low-cost health screenings, exhibits, demos and opportunities
to meet practitioners, gather helpful information, and learn about health
issues, support services, and community resources.
In its 22nd year, the Festival is a lively, interactive and informative destination
for the whole family. More than 100 exhibitors will offer information,
screenings, conversation and giveaways on a wide range of topics that
impact personal and community health, including:
- addiction, heart disease, tooth decay, and childhood obesity;
- primary care, early detection of heart disease, breast and cervical cancer,
diabetes, kidney disease, vision and hearing loss, foot care, osteoporosis
and high blood pressure;
- treatment approaches for sleep apnea, COPD, pain, epilepsy, Parkinson’s,
weight loss, stress;
- community resources including assisted living, Alzheimer’s care,
home-based services and support groups;
- advocacy for prenatal health, emergency preparedness, mental health, LGBTQ
issues, advance directives, organ donation, blood donation, volunteering and more!
Free health screenings include heart attack risk profile (10 am –
1 pm), carotid artery, blood pressure, blood sugar, COPD, sight, hearing
and glaucoma, KidSight SPOT screenings, body fat, osteoporosis and spine.
In the Sears wing, Valley Health Laboratory Services phlebotomists will
draw blood from 10 am – 2 pm for an extensive panel of tests at
discounted rates: Comprehensive Blood Panel, Lipids, CBC and TSH (thyroid)
for $45, with the option of adding tests for $15-$20: PSA (prostate) for
additional $15; hsCRP (C-reactive protein) for additional $15; Vitamin
D for additional $20; and HbgA1C for additional $20. A voucher for a later
blood draw at any Valley Health Lab may be purchased until 2 p.m.
A popular activity is the Teddy Bear Clinic, staffed by Shenandoah University
Nursing faculty and students. Children bring a favorite stuffed animal
or adopt one on the spot, and watch attentively as nurses conduct a head-to-toe
physical, engaging with the “parent” about vital signs, immunizations,
overall health, diet and exercise. The Clinic will be near the children’s
play area, with other children’s activities such as fingerprinting
by the Winchester Police Department VIPs.
Virginia Blood Services urges Festival guests to roll up their sleeves
and give a pint to help others. (Winter weather causes a dramatic drop
in donation and available blood supply.) VBS will be set up in a store
space near the children’s play area from 10 am – 4 pm.
Two mobile screening vehicles will be parked outside: the Lions Club will
offer free hearing, vision and glaucoma screenings in their Sight and
Hearing Mobile Screening Unit outside Buca di Beppo; and Valley Health
will conduct free Heart Attack Risk Screenings in the Health Coach outside
the Sears entrance.
The
JCPenney Court will be jumping throughout the day with fitness and food demonstrations:
10:15
Make the Call, Valley Health Heart & Vascular
11:00
Jazzercise, Winchester Premier Jazzercise Center
11:45
Square Dancing, Apple Valley Square Dance Club
12:30
Cooking for “Clean” Eating, Barbara Hineline, Chef/Owner, Fit Food
1:15
Healthy Fast Food Options, Chick-Fil-a
2:00
Tae Kwon Do, Tiger Den
2:45
Dance Party, Valley Health Wellness & Fitness Center
3:30
Ball Room Dancing, Social Graces
4:15
Zumba Gold, Shenandoah Valley Westminster Canterbury
5:00
Mindful Bites, Shenandoah Valley Westminster Canterbury
Festival attendees who collect stickers from five exhibitors are eligible
to enter a drawing for one of three prizes:
- $250 Simon American Express gift card;
- $100 gas gift card from H.N. Funkhouser & Co.;
- Free 3-month membership at Valley Health Wellness & Fitness Center.
New this year, festival attendees will also have the opportunity to win
an Apple iPad-mini by completing a Community Health Survey at one of three
locations around the mall. Valley Health conducts a Community Health Needs
Assessment every three years to poll area residents about what they perceive
to be the most pressing health challenges in our community. The findings
are used to guide Valley Health and community initiatives.
The Valley Health Community Wellness Festival is sponsored in partnership
with Shenandoah University and funded by the Winchester Medical Center
Foundation.