Lee teams with Mercy for health program

Mercy Health Center recently announced that the nationally recognized Lee Jeans company will be the corporate sponsor for the Spirit of Women program, titled "How to Wear Your Genes," at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at the Liberty Theater, 113 S. Main St.

"The play on the word 'genes' provided the opportunity to try something new in Spirit of Women programming -- a style show with the emphasis on the word 'jeans'," Spirit of Women coordinator Tina Rockhold said.

The program's health education component will feature a panel of Mercy Health Center physicians who will discuss health conditions that have been linked to genetics ranging from cancer and neurological issues to diabetes. Attendees will also learn about their heredity and their inherited risk for diseases and other conditions.

Spirit of Women events also traditionally include what organizers call a "health-u-tainment" program.

"That's how the 'jeans fit' in, pardon the pun," Rockhold said. "At the June 11 event, the audience will learn how to wear your 'jeans' during the style show sponsored by Lee Jeans."

The style show is modeled after the popular reality television show, "What Not to Wear," Rockhold said.

Rachell Moley, a trend expert who works at Lee Jeans headquarters in Merriam will serve as the fashion consultant for the evening event. Moley will also provide tips for women of all body types in choosing attire that suits their body composition, is age appropriate, and also trendy.

During the June 11 event, four Mercy staff members -- Martha Guilfoyle, Linda Noll, Peggy Stevens, and Carrie VanPatten -- will model complete ensembles featuring clothing donated by Lee Jeans, Rockhold said.

"These outfits might inspire women to look at jeans in a new way," she said. "Women might even be encouraged to throw out their 'mom' jeans and try a new stylist look."

Rockhold added that the Lee Jeans sponsorship of Mercy's "How to Wear Your Genes" program seems to be a natural fit. The Lee Jeans company also sponsors the National Day of Denim, one of the largest single-day fundraisers for breast cancer. This year, the National Day of Denim is Friday, Oct. 2.

Since its inception in 1996, Lee National Denim Day has adhered to a simple philosophy; one day, one cause, one cure. In 13 years, that philosophy has become a mantra for millions of people and has made an impact that company officials never thought possible, a Mercy statement said.

The idea for the National Denim Day began when several Lee Jeans employees realized that each of them, in one form or another, had been affected by breast cancer. An everyday conversation sparked an idea and led to the creation of Lee National Denim Day, which has since become one of the largest single-day fundraisers for breast cancer nationwide, the statement said.

In its first year, Lee Jeans set a goal of raising $1 million on Lee National Denim Day. To help meet this goal, Lee Jeans invited companies to go casual for a cause, inviting employees to wear their jeans to work on Denim Day in exchange for a $5 contribution to the fight against breast cancer. The underlying concept behind the program was simple -- by convincing enough people to take one small step, together they could reach an incredible goal.

The response to the inaugural Lee National Denim Day program was astounding. That year, more than 3,000 companies signed up to participate, raising $1.4 million toward the fight against breast cancer and setting the stage for what would become one of the most captivating social action campaigns in the country. More than $75 million has been raised since the program began, and nearly one million people nationwide participate in the program each year, the Mercy statement said.

The "How to Wear Your Genes" event is free and open to the public, however tickets are required and limited to two per person. Tickets are available at the Mercy Health Center registration desk, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., the Mercy Medical Plaza registration desk, 902 S. Horton St., and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St.

For more information, contact Rockhold at (620) 223-2200, extension 2610.