Giant walk-through colon among exhibits planned for Mon General HealthFair, Feb. 27-28

            Visitors to Mon General Hospital’s 32nd Annual HealthFair will have the opportunity to walk through a giant colon, participate in a scavenger hunt and get an overall picture of their health through a variety of wellness screenings.

            The 2015 Mon General HealthFair will be held on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27-28, at Morgantown Mall. Approximately 50 exhibitors will be at HealthFair, including many Mon General affiliated physicians and hospital departments.  The hours this year are 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.

            “We’re excited to bring another great wellness event to the community,” said Eric Eberhart, Director of the Wound Healing Center of Mon General Hospital and HealthFair Coordinator. “HealthFair continues to be an opportunity for the community to participate in health screenings, learn about the services offered by Mon General and its medical staff and get tips for leading a healthy lifestyle.

             “This is the first year for our giant walk-through colon,” Eberhart said. “We hope our giant colon will make people more aware of colon cancer and its symptoms. Those stepping into the colon will learn about colon health and the importance of colonoscopies in screening for colon cancer. Regular screenings can detect colon cancer early, when it is more treatable.”

            The inflatable colon shows what normal colon tissue looks like, along with colon polyps and colon cancer. In both men and women, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death.

            This year’s HealthFair will also encourage children to participate. Many of the exhibits will have displays geared towards children and their parents, including an interactive surgery tent. “Every year HealthFair draws a lot of older adults who come for the health screenings,” he said. “By offering more for children, we are hoping to engage the whole family.”

            Elementary school students coming to HealthFair can help their schools by participating in the HealthFair Scavenger Hunt. Scavenger Hunt forms may be picked up at the HealthFair information booth during the event. Children can then visit the various exhibits and fill out the scavenger hunt form. Once the form is complete, they put their name and school on it and turn it in before leaving HealthFair. The school with the most completed scavenger hunt forms submitted will win a free visit from the science team at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh.

            Children will also be able to visit with a variety of movie princesses and other popular characters that will be making appearances during HealthFair. In addition, MedExpress will be at HealthFair offering free fingerprinting and ID sheets for children, along with face painting.

            “Most people coming to HealthFair do so for the health screenings,” Eberhart said. “All of our popular health screenings from past HealthFairs will be available at this year’s event.”

            Screenings include the Multiphasic Blood Analysis; ultrasounds of the aorta, carotid, and gallbladder; Echocardiograms, Electrocardiograms (EKGs); breast cancer risk assessment; blood pressure; bone density; injury; lung cancer screening questionnaire; peripheral vascular disease screening; pulmonary function testing; skin cancer; and varicose veins. The multiphasic runs from 6:30-11 a.m. both days. Walk-ins are accepted after 9 a.m.

            A variety of other activities are also planned for HealthFair.

            The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department will be offering an infant car seat check to those who pre-register by calling (304) 285-2730.  The shingles vaccine is being offered by the Giant Eagle Pharmacy to those who pre-register by calling 304-599-2369. Flu shots and pneumonia vaccines will also be available.

            Special events include the annual Baby Crawl and the Joe Grkman “Grkmania” Polka Band.

            The Baby Crawl, sponsored by Mon General’s Perinatal Education Program and Hazel Ruby McQuain Birth Center, will be held at noon on Saturday. To register, call Pamela Poe, Coordinator of the Mon General Perinatal Education Program at (304) 598-1484. The Baby Crawl takes place in the J.C. Penney/Garfield’s concourse.

            The Joe Grkman “Grkmania” polka band will perform from Noon to 2 p.m. in the Elder-Beerman Alcove on Saturday.  Originating from Yukon, PA (a small, coal-mining town in Western Pennsylvania), this band has been pleasing audiences with its special blend of Slovenian/Cleveland style polkas and waltzes across the United States and abroad since forming in 1967.