Getting healthy

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HANNAHVILLE - The Hannahville Community Department of Health and Human Services held its 6th Annual Walk for a Cure and Women's Health Fair Friday, and it was all about fun, health awareness, and supporting a good cause.

Members of the Hannahville community, and others, made the effort to collect pledges for the two mile walk, which go directly to the Delta County Cancer Alliance. The alliance helps all cancer patients in Delta County with financial assistance and any other assistance they may need.

Hannahville Community Health Representative Sherry Valiquette said in the previous year, participants of the Walk for the Cure raised around $2,500 to donate to the group, with a match from the Hannahville tribe.

Valiquette said the walk is a way to boost participants' self-esteem, while helping a good cause and getting exercise.

"When they see what they can accomplish for a good cause, it makes them feel good," she said.

The health fair following the walk was an opportunity for participants to receive education on a variety of health issues, especially women's health issues, including depression, domestic violence and sexual assault, and breast cancer, among others.

Valiquette said in the past, the fair has been a success, bringing in an impressive number of people from the community.

"Each year it gets bigger and bigger," she said.

Women, as well as a few men, attended this year's event.

During the fair, participants are free to check out the booths, take home informational brochures, and take part in free services, such as a bone density screening offered by the Women's Center, St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center. The Women's Center also had a booth dedicated towards breast cancer awareness and detection. A booth dedicated to home health care was also set up by the hospital.

The Delta-Menominee Public Health Department offered information on programs, such as free pap and pelvic exams and mammograms to those who qualify.

YMCA employees were there promoting health and exercise, and Ruth Oja, Hannahville Victims of Crime Program advocate, was there to raise awareness about domestic violence and to promote support programs.

"Part of our participation is to bring information to the women that they don't have to live with violence or abuse," said Oja. "You can heal and move forward."

Chelsea and Alyssa Sagataw, Nah Tah Wahsh School, attended the event with the girls on their volleyball team.

"We thought it'd be a good idea for us to come here and support the cause," said Chelsea. "Some of our family members have had breast cancer."

In addition to the health awareness and promotion there were also fun activities, such as manicures, pedicures, haircuts, and t-shirt tie-dying, as well as items for purchase.