Mercy to host Spirit of Women Day of Dance

Mercy Health Center announces that it will host the 2008 Spirit of Women Day of Dance for Health on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, at the Fort Scott Middle School to inspire women and their families toward better overall health.

Proving that exercise can be both fun and beneficial to the heart, the program combines the fun of dancing to different forms of music, such as ballroom, zumba, country line, salsa, swing, and hip-hop, with free health screenings and a presentation by Dr. Stephanie Lawhorn, a well-known Kansas City cardiologist, on heart disease in women. In all, there will be 12 forms of dance presented throughout the day.

Fort Scott joins more than 60 other cities to simultaneously host Day of Dance. This event is the second in a series of community education programs offered by Mercy in 2008 as a Spirit of Women hospital. In January, Mercy kicked off this initiative with "A New Year, A New You" with more than 400 women in attendance.

"Dancing is a sport we all love and an activity that has powerful benefits for our heart, lungs, brain and just about every other organ," said Tina Rockhold, Mercy director of Health for Life and coordinator for the Day of Dance. "On Feb. 23, we are dancing for fun and hoping to inspire a lifetime of healthy living for every participant."

Taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 23, the free event at the Middle School will include interactive dance sessions, a prominent physician speaker, screenings, a local version of "Dancing with the Stars," and other activities to remind participants that heart disease prevention can be a fun and energizing experience. Complimentary light snacks will also be offered.

"Whether you come to learn a new dance or just to watch, there will be something for everyone to enjoy," said Carla Bryant Farmer, Spirit of Women coordinator for Mercy. "Guests will be greeted at the door by local physicians and hospital staff dressed in tuxedoes and will begin their day with a keynote address by Dr. Lawhorn at 11 a.m. Immediately following her presentation, several local couples will compete in Fort Scott's first Dancing with the Stars.

"As the day proceeds, there will be a variety of break-out dance sessions and health screenings that ladies may choose to participate in or just come and watch," added Farmer.

Because Day of Dance for Health takes place during Heart Health Awareness Month, several celebrities have autographed Red Shoes, the symbol designed to encourage women to take action for their heart health, for an online auction to benefit women's heart health research and education. The Celebrity Red Shoe Auction will take place Feb. 5-14 at www.redshoeinitiative.org and includes shoes autographed by:

* Marcia Cross, "Desperate Housewives"

* Felicity Huffman, "Desperate Housewives"

* Carrie Ann Inaba, "Dancing With The Stars"

* Alanis Morissette, Grammy award-winning recording artist

* LeAnn Rimes, Grammy award-winning recording artist

Locally, Dr. Wan-Lin Horng, a general surgeon at Mercy, plans to spice up the event with our own Red Shoe initiative. On display at Day of Dance will be red shoes decorated by various departments at Mercy.

Dancing can burn as many calories as swimming, walking, or riding a bike (as many as 200-400 calories per hour). If done on a regular basis as a form of exercise, many health benefits result including weight maintenance or weight loss, blood pressure and cholesterol management (lowering), increased energy, decreased sadness and depression, increased coordination and muscle strength and an overall sense of well-being. In addition, dancing can help develop new social connections as well as enhance and strengthen relationships.

Nearly 500,000 women die each year of cardiovascular disease, making it the leading cause of death for American women. One in two women will die of heart disease, yet they continue not to personalize their individual risk for cardiovascular disease.

The event is free, but tickets are required. No child care services will be provided. Tickets may be picked up at the Mercy registration desk, 401 Woodland Hills, Mercy Medical Plaza registration desk, 902 S. Horton, or the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information call the Mercy Marketing Department at (620) 223-7026.