Power of Health Expo and Power of Play 5K set for April 28
BRISTOL, Tenn. – Get ready to lace up your running shoes and learn all about improving health and wellness at the Power of Health Expo and Power of Play 5K.
The event will be held Saturday, April 28, from 8 a.m. to noon at Bristol Regional Medical Center. The expo portion will take place in the hospital’s conference center. Promptly at 9 a.m., the 5K will begin outside the hospital’s main entrance.
The April 28 activities are a partnership between Ballad Health, Bristol Tennessee City Schools and Bristol Virginia Public Schools to promote good health. Proceeds provide additional funding to the physical education programs in both school systems for items such as playground equipment, curriculum and professional development.
“We’re proud of the strong relationship our school system has with Bristol Regional,” said Rebecca Craddock, who coordinates school health and communications for Bristol Tennessee City Schools and helps organize the event. “These partnerships enhance the quality of life for everyone and put us on a path for improving the health status within the region.”
Greg Neal, president of Bristol Regional and Ballad Health’s northeast market, said the community will definitely benefit from this event.
“This is going to be a great day, and we’re excited to help the community learn more about the tremendous benefits of physical activity, like running and walking, to improving overall health,” Neal said. “We really want to encourage everyone to come out and take part in this event. It’s all about investing in the health and wellness of families in our region.”
During the expo, there will be giveaways, and vendors and regional health experts will provide attendees with beneficial health-related information. In addition, Ballad Health will provide free heart and vascular screenings to anyone 45 and older.
Linda Robinette, a resident of Bristol, Virginia, understands the value of the screenings she received when she attended the 2017 event. She was feeling well, but screenings revealed abnormal findings on her electrocardiogram. Robinette was immediately taken to the emergency department and later to the intensive care unit. Cardiologists learned chambers in her heart were not functioning at optimal levels, and two days later, an electrophysiologist inserted a pacemaker at Bristol Regional.
“I feel very thankful and very blessed for that health fair,” Robinette said. “I feel like it saved my life.”
Space for these screenings is limited, so anyone who is interested should call Ballad Health Nurse Connect at 1-833-8-BALLAD (822-5523) to register.
Participants in the 5K will receive a coupon for a cardiac calcium screening at Bristol Regional. This noninvasive test produces pictures of the coronary arteries using a CT scanner to detect the amount of plaque in them and show whether someone has developed heart disease. Those who preregister for the 5K will also receive a Power of Health shirt.
Until Thursday, April 26, registration for the 5K costs $20 for timed races and $15 for untimed. However, elementary, middle school and high school students only have to pay $10. The price increases $5 for all individuals who sign up after that date. Please visit www.balladhealth.org/power to register.
