Addressing health concerns on a larger scale.
“Mega Body, Mega Lung” is a family event being held at the CEFCU Center Stage, on the Peoria Riverfront, this Saturday.
Sara Caruso, Nurse Manager with UnityPoint Health, said the event will educate the public about a variety of health issues using two large-scale inflatables. Attendees will be able to walk through a 12-foot by 26-foot and 50-foot long Mega Body and 12-foot by 15-foot and 10-foot long Mega Lung.
“People can see what it looks like to have lung cancer nodules and COPD. They can see how smoking actually turns the color of your lungs, to explain to them how smoking effects your overall health and cardiovascular health,” Caruso said.
The Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford Community Health Report recently estimated 65-percent of regional deaths are due to chronic diseases that include lung cancer and heart disease.
Caruso said UnityPoint Health medical professionals will provide a variety of free general, colon, osteoporosis and mammogram screenings with the UnityPoint Health Wellmobile and Mammovan.
“We have nurses from every single area, from oncology to our stroke nurses, our cardiovascular. Our E.D. nurses will be doing CPR education,” Caruso said.
Health booths will also provide education on smoking cessation, stress relief and suicide prevention. The Peoria Fire Department will be assisting with CPR lessons and Peoria Police will help with opioid education and disposal.
Saturday’s free event runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with
special speakers, entertainment and food trucks.
For more information, click HERE.
