After 370 students showed up to the first UNC Asheville Health Fair, senior health and wellness student Emily Pineda decided to not only organize the event again, but to open it to the Asheville community this year.
“Having an event like this is a good way for people to see health in a positive light,” Pineda says, “I think people think of health as something that can be discouraging, but this shows people that health can be fun and interactive.”
This year’s fair will be held on Thursday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the Kimmel Arena concourse at UNC Asheville. The theme, “New Year, New You” echoes ideas about making and maintaining health goals. “We wanted to kind of promote the whole idea of New Year’s resolutions while showing students, faculty and members of the community how much Asheville has to offer, not only in terms of health, but in terms of affordable health,” Pineda says. The fair will feature about 40 local health organizations and businesses. The event’s exhibits will also include about $500 worth of free health assessments ranging from therapeutic massages to eye care.
Pineda organized this year’s event with the help of UNCA junior Carolyn Bacchus. This way, Pineda says, Bacchus will be able to continue the event next year after she graduates in the spring.
For more information about the UNC Asheville Health Fair, read the press release below from UNC Asheville News Services:
UNC Asheville will host its second annual Health Fair with exhibits from some 40 local health organizations and businesses, from 11 a.m-2 p.m. Thursday, January 12, on the Kimmel Arena concourse. The fair is free and open to the public, with free parking available in the Kimmel Arena parking deck.
The fair will offer health assessments, interactive exhibits, educational materials and product samples. Leading health care providers – including Mission Health Systems and Park Ridge Health; chiropractic practitioners; and specialists in sports medicine, therapeutic massage, eye care, and sexual and reproductive health – will host exhibits. Key public health organizations, and businesses that offer athletic gear and healthy foods will also participate.
The fair was created last year and is led again this year by UNC Asheville senior Health and Wellness major Emily Pineda. “I’m looking to help people – both on and off campus – find and take advantage of all the great resources we have in Asheville to support healthier living,” said Pineda. Junior Carolyn Bacchus is working with Pineda this year on the fair, with plans to lead the effort next year after Pineda graduates.
For more information including a complete list of participants, please visit the Health Fair website at http://www.facebook.com/uncahealthfair, or call Emily Pineda at 828/773-5812.
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