Community Corner

'Dance for Your Health' at Franciscan St. James

Hundreds of local women are expected to put on their dancing shoes and learn about healthy decisions.

Franciscan St. James Health invites women from across the south and southwest suburbs to the National Day of Dance for Your Health on Thursday, March 13, at the St. James Health & Wellness Institute in Chicago Heights. 

It is the only area hospital joining Spirit of Women hospitals across the country as they take a stand against heart disease through Day of Dance. 

The event will combine the fun of dancing to different kinds of music, such as ballroom dancing, rock ‘n roll, jazz, salsa, swing, and hip-hop, with health screenings and community education on heart disease and other important health topics.

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More than 500 women from across the Southland are expected to participate. It will take place at the St. James Health & Wellness Institute, 100 197th Place, Chicago Heights.  Nationwide, more than 75,000 women are expected to dance for their health.

"Day of Dance is a fun, unique program bringing together doctors, community leaders, media, and businesses to teach families about healthy choices that they can easily incorporate into their daily lives. By attending, you will also learn and understand your personal risk factors for heart disease and stroke, all while learning new dance moves and spending time with family and friends," said Franciscan St. James CEO, Arnie Kimmel. 

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Starting at 6 p.m., on Thursday, March 13, Franciscan St. James’ Day of Dance for Your Health will include dancing and other activities to remind participants that preventing cardiovascular disease and embracing a healthy lifestyle can be a fun, energizing experience. 

Franciscan St. James will offer free health screenings, including Cholesterol, Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure, Bone Density and Body Mass Index.

“Coronary heart disease, which causes heart attack, is the single leading cause of death for American women,” Kimmel said. “Many women incorrectly believe that cancer is the number one cause of death. In fact, nearly twice as many U.S. women die of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases than from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.”

Day of Dance focuses on dance as a way to take steps for a healthier life because dancing can burn as many calories as swimming, walking, or riding a bike — up to 400 calories per hour. 

Many health benefits may result from dance if it is done on a regular basis as a form of exercise including weight maintenance or weight loss, blood pressure and cholesterol management, increased energy, decreased sadness and depression, increased coordination and muscle strength, and an overall sense of well-being.

 

To register for the Franciscan St. James Day of Dance, call 1-800-785-2637, or visit www.franciscanstjames.org/dayofdance


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