L to R: Cousin Marilyn, Coordinator, DFST Health & Wellness Fair; Cousin James Chairperson, DFST Family Reunion; and me, Asst. Coordinator, DFST Health & Wellness Fair.
Choose To Mover Kathleen volunteered at the American Heart Association Booth. Kathleen shared information on the Choose To Move Program, Power To End Stroke, Go Red For Women, and Advocacy Plus-You're The Cure.
The Demery-Farley-Syas-Taylor (DFST) Family Reunion Health & Wellness Fair was held in Houston, Texas, at the Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel on Thursday, July 17, 2008, 10am-4pm. Los Angeles DFST Cousins will host the next reunion in 2010.
The following screenings were available at the DFST Health & Wellness Fair:
* Blood Pressure
* Body Mass Index (BMI)
* Blood Glucose/Blood Sugar
* Blood Cholesterol
* Vision
* Foot
Approximately 1 out of every 3 health & wellness fair participants received ALL of the screenings offered at the DFST Health & Wellness Fair.
DFST Health & Wellness Fair Sponsors and Volunteers were:
LifeScan, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson Co.–AALC Group
American Heart Association
John B. Coleman Health Sciences College – Nursing Program
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Louisiana Public Health Institute – Steps Program
CVS Pharmacy – Pharmacy Intern Program
Greater Houston Dental Hygienists’ Society
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products
Prairie View A&M – Nursing Program
American Diabetes Association
Prevent Blindness of America
United Supermarkets.
Descriptions of the pictures shown below are given:
Picture a - Four (4) generations of the Robinson Family (my California Cousins) attended the DFST Family Reunion Health & Wellness Fair.
Picture b - Chardria Trotter, Cultural Health Initiatives Specialist at the South Central Affiliate-Houston/Gulf Coast Region American Heart Association office, delivered some AHA materials for the health fair.
Picture c - Chardria set up the AHA Display Board with information describing several AHA Programs.
Picture d - Door prizes were donated by several of our sponsors. Dr. Jennifer Mieres, consulting physician for Choose To Move, donated several autographed copies of her book, Heart Smart for Black Women and Latinas.
Picture e - These nursing and health sciences students from local colleges and universities who volunteered at the DFST Health & Wellness Fair informed me that they Choose To Move. Pictured left to right are: Dinorah, me, Deneca, and Karoll.
Picture f - Cousin Marilyn and I are pictured with Davonna, Houston Hilton Post Oak Hotel Sr. Special Events Manager.
Picture g - My nine (9) year old cousin, Gabriel, joined me in the hotel gym on the morning following the health & wellness fair. Gabriel is wearing his Treat You Right-Walk More, Eat Better tee shirt that he received at the health fair. The tee shirts were donated by Steps To A Healthier Louisiana. Louisiana is home to many of the Demery, Farley, Syas, and Taylor family members and ancestors.
Picture h - I returned the AHA display board on the morning following the health fair. Atty. Pamela Crawford, AHA Director of Advocacy, and I are pictured in front of the South Central Affiliate-Houston/Gulf Coast Region American Heart Association office. Pamela’s mother-in-law, Betty, and my Aunt Annie Bell were roommates at Southern University in Baton Rouge Louisiana. Isn’t it a small world?
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Posts
At the end of any journey, it’s always nice to reflect on the experience and enjoy the exhilaration that comes with accomplishment. During the past 12 weeks, seven real women have opened their hearts and minds to women across the country. They’ve revealed struggles, shared empowering messages, offered valuable tips and served as genuine advocates for this program.
During the Choose To Move challenge, these women not only engaged in physical activity, they discovered a community of women who share a common goal – increase physical activity in order to develop a healthier lifestyle. Their success is a direct result of determination, commitment and the support they received from those in the Choose To Move community.
From a mom with three kids to a full-time college student to women in the workplace, our real women take on many important roles. And as women juggling multiple responsibilities, we want to be the best we can be - a common thread among women in America. However, in order to be the best for our families, we must do what’s best for ourselves. Our seven real women did exactly that! Each woman, in her own way, learned how to make time for physical activity and develop better eating habits!
For Ruann, Kara, Lisa, Melanie, Vernita, Kathleen and Zulema, the 12-week challenge has come to an end. However, the ultimate reality is that their life-long journey to maintain a healthy lifestyle has only begun. No matter where you are in this journey, I encourage you to rely on women in the Choose To Move community, as well as those around you. Take advantage of the Choose To Move program and turn this challenge into a way of life.
Dear Dr. Mieres:
About the only time I can find to walk is during my lunch break. Is it better to eat prior to or following a vigerous walk?
Thank you,
Ruth
Dr. Mieres,
I saw you on TV several months ago and while the face has changed some, the name surely was very familiar. I finally found out that you are a native of Trinidad and just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you and the great job you are doing.
I believe we attended the same high school in Curepe, Trinidad, SAGHS.
Keep up the good work.
Denise Baptiste formerly Charles
(Math Teacher/College Instructor)
Dr. Mieres,
I saw you on TV several months ago and while the face has changed some, the name surely was very familiar. I finally found out that you are a native of Trinidad and just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you and the great job you are doing.
I believe we attended the same high school in Curepe, Trinidad, SAGHS.
Keep up the good work.
Denise Baptiste formerly Charles
(Math Teacher/College Instructor)
Comments
Jul 26 | Oneda said …
Hello "V",
Nice blog, the Health & Wellness Fair was a success, based on the number of participants that received the screenings.
What a good activity to share with family members. The information and screenings is beneficial to everyone. It's helpful to know your family health history.
Keep moving toward your goals and with projects like this that will benefit mankind.
Jul 27 | Pam Crawford said …
I am glad we could help out with providing heart healthy information for the attendees!
Jul 27 | Kathleen Lopez said …
Vernita, Thank you for the opporturnity to help 'spread the word' and meet your wonderful family, especially your lovely mother. You are all an inspiration to me. Kathleen
Jul 29 | zulema said …
you look hot vernita! i love the new hairdo. :-)
i hate that i couldn't be with you and kathleen that day. i'm hoping all of us can meet again soon.
-zulema
Jul 29 | Kathianne said …
Vernita, I'm so happy you are getting back on track. I'm doing my best to do so also.
It's been a rough summer. My nephew, Jay was operated on for a second time, brain surgery. It was so successful, that I feel the need to pinch myself.
Someone I care about sent me this you tube video, it just seems so appropriate, though Jay is only in his mid 20's, not early 40's:
Well it seems impossible to post a video here, so here is the URL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mHaFMqde6A
Jul 30 | Vernita said …
Hello Zulema,
Kathleen and I missed you as well:(
Guess what? Next summer I will be assisting Cousin Marilyn with the Hayes Family Reunion Health & Wellness Fair that will be held in Houston, Texas. So I will again be reaching out to the American Heart Association and you and Kathleen to help me with that endeavor.
Glad you like the do. It's been a fun summer:)
~Vernita
Jul 30 | Vernita said …
Hello Kathianne,
I am so glad to hear that your nephew's brain surgery went well. I pray that Jay's recovery continues to be positively progressive and that his family and friends provide the needed support that will be required during this life trail.
I enjoyed Tim McGraw’s video. Thank you for sharing. It made me think about Randy Pausch’s (1960-2008) Last Lecture, Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, which has been viewed over 5 million times on Youtube. I was also reminded of the 2006 movie, Last Holiday, where Queen Latifah portrays a character who has just found out that she has a rare tumor and has a very limited time left to live; therefore, she cashes in her retirement and sets off on her dream vacation.
Life is not continuous - we should rally examine what we are doing with our "dash" (the symbol that lies between our date of birth and date of death).
~Vernita
Aug 02 | Kay Honeycutt said …
A job well done! Health awareness and prevention is vital - Thanks for being the tool we need in order to be informed. Your expertise is a blessing to the DFST family.
Thanks for the web site. It's awesome.
Kay
Aug 14 | Vernita said …
Hello Kay,
Sometimes it takes a personal "rock bottom" experience to "see the light." I am overjoyed that this information is helpful to you - Please spread the love...
~ Vernita
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