Fun approaches to health a theme at women's event - Bloomington Pantagraph

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Fun approaches to health a theme at women's event - Bloomington Pantagraph Mar 21st 2012, 02:34 NORMAL — Angela Augsburger hadn't used a Hula Hoop in 20 years. But there was the 59-year-old Fairbury woman in the middle of the crowded ballroom of Illinois State University's Bone Student Center, hooping so well that she had to make a conscious effort to stop. She had just received a lesson from Suzanne Richardson, who makes and sells custom hoops and teaches hoop dancing. Richardson's Normal Hoops was among 75 organizations providing free demonstrations, presentations, screenings and information Tuesday at the 14th annual Women's Health Night. "Oh, I'm so proud of myself," a smiling Augsburger said in the middle of her second hooping set. She said Richardson taught her to move the hoop between her navel and sternum. Augsburger unknowingly illustrated what Kathi Franklin said later was a theme of this year's health night. Franklin is executive director of Illinois Heart & Lung Foundation, which presents the annual event. "It can be fun to take care of your health," Franklin said as women around her were hooping to music, getting massages and collecting information and giveaways. "People are having fun," she said. She said the 2,000 women participating were using the event as a "mental health night out." "I go every year so I can get the free screenings because I didn't used to have health insurance," Augsburger said. Even though she now has insurance through work, Augsburger continues to attend because she compares screening results with those she gets through her doctor. "I have a family history of diabetes so I want to keep up with that stuff," she said. Kendra Sims, 18, of Bloomington, came to the evening feeling tense in her neck and back. But she felt better after a trigger point massage by Rebekah McAtee, a licensed massage therapist with Peffer Wellness Center, Bloomington. She also found out about services for women from groups such as YWCA McLean County and learned about cervical cancer. Her mother died of the disease. LaVon M. Schultz, 77, of Normal made her annual visit for peripheral artery disease, blood pressure, cholesterol and bone density screenings and to get health information. "My numbers are a little better than last year," Schultz said. "If you have your numbers checked regularly, you'll know you're on the right track." Keeran award Also during the evening, community volunteer Jim Fruin, a member of the Bloomington City Council, was presented the 2012 Gale Keeran Spirit of Success Award and Keeran's parents, Opal and Stanley Burnett, were presented Lifetime Contribution Awards. The awards honor the memory of Keeran, a community leader who died in 2001. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers. Five Filters recommends: Donate to Wikileaks.

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