A women’s health fair Sunday evening drew less people than expected, with only about 15 women showing up at La Place Rendez-Vous to learn about everything from osteoporosis to nutrition.
“I think we’d make sure we didn’t conflict with another event next time,” said Pharmasave owner Kim Metke, referring to the local Canadian Cancer Society’s biennial candlelight service that was held at St. Mary’s Church that same evening.
“We’re not interested in drawing away from an event like that,” he added. “But we’re relatively happy with the way things went.
“We’ll make some changes if we do it again, and we’ll be getting feedback from those who did come to it.”
Metke noted a similar health fair, possibly revolving around something other than women’s health, is likely down the road as staff prefer to deliver information outside of a retail venue like Pharmasave’s location downtown.
Metke gave a presentation on female hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
“There seems to be a lot of misconceptions on this topic right now. People are getting the wrong information,” he said, referring to recent news linking HRT and heart disease.
“I was upset by the fact the media tends to sensationalize and blow up the issue, and portrays doctors as negligent in their prescribing the therapy,” Metke added.
Also on hand were Pharmasave staff Craig Armstrong, who had a table full of information on smoking cessation, Michael McKinnon offering tips on dealing with osteoporosis, and Sabrina Stoessinger and Nicole Broman telling women about skin care.
Other experts included chiropractor Dr. Shayla Kennedy, registered massage therapist Carla Bodnar, nutritionist Marietheres Metke, and certified fitness consultant Mandi Monteith.
Tables of materials from provincial government programs as well as the variety of books on women’s health available at the Fort Frances Public Library also were on hand.
