Self-Defense at Women’s Health Fair

The 13th annual In Her Honor Women’s Health Fair will offer free health screenings, fitness classes and self-defense demonstrations from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the Conway Regional Health & Fitness Center.

“We have been doing this 13 years and we are expanding our audience to include those who are uninsured or under insured, seniors, moms or moms to be and the Hispanic population which has historically been underserved,” said Dot Welch, associate director of the Conway Regional Health Foundation.

Vendors are organized into three main categories, health fair volunteer Allison Brite explained, free screenings, health and safety information and special activities. “Often women neglect their own health for the sake of their family,” Welch said. “We’re encouraging women to take some time for themselves to do some free screenings and pick up some information.”

This is the first year the health fair has included a children’s activity area, self-defense instruction, drug take-back service and private breast exams. Also this year, Spanish translation services will be provided. “Moms feel more comfortable bringing their kids in knowing they’ll be entertained,” Brite said.

Special activities include chair massage, fitness class, assemble your own First Aid Kit, the Prescription Take-Back Program, available from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Kids’ Corner activity area and Women’s self-defense instruction. The women’s self-defense demonstrations will take place every 20 minutes throughout the duration of the health fair, Brite said.