Around the Regions

St. John’s Heart Health Coalition

A Christmas Social

Coalition members, new members and others interested in joining the St. John’s Heart Health Coalition, came together in December 2001 for an Orientation Session and Christmas Luncheon. The Orientation presentation provided a brief history and overview of both the NLHHP and the St. John’s Heart Health Coalition. The catered lunch was delicious, especially when enjoyed during the festive season with good company and friendly conversation. The event ended with some “heart-warming” stories as current Coalition members shared their history with the Coalition along with why they continue to be involved, and new members expressed their interest in being part of the Coalition. A good time was had by all and it was a great way to start the Christmas Season.

Thanks to our Volunteers

A big thank you to all the people who volunteered with St. John’s Heart Health Coalition projects over the last number of months. The Heart Smart Restaurant Program in particular has received lots of help. Cynthia Callahan, a graduate student with the Community Health Program at Memorial University, has been assisting with the administrative aspects of the Heart Smart Restaurant Program since the fall of 2001. In addition, ten volunteers conducted follow-up visits to most of the 61 restaurants participating in the Heart Smart Restaurant Program in this region during the months of February and March. These volunteers were great ambassadors for the Program.

Rikki-Lee Noseworthy, last year’s summer student, has also been working on various heart health initiatives: pulling together information for the website; developing heart health displays; and, assisting with heart health presentations.

A heart-felt thanks! Your contribution is really appreciated.

Heart Health at Memorial University

Memorial University played host to a variety of heart health activities during the first few months of 2002. In February, the Wellness Education Group was busy coordinating the Have a Heart Campaign both at the Marine Institute and the main MUN campus. The Wellness Education Group, originally formed to promote AIDS Awareness, used this campaign opportunity to also address healthy active living. Displays were set up at both post-secondary locations with approximately 550 students and staff visiting these booths. A variety of information was distributed to those interested on active living, smoking cessation, and healthy eating.

The month of March was geared towards Memorial University’s annual Healthy Lifestyles Week. The theme for the week was “Healthy Mind, Body and Spirit”. Throughout the week, the campus population was given the opportunity to engage in various health and wellness initiatives. A successful Health and Wellness Fair was organized to highlight the numerous campus and community organizations that focus on self-care and healthy living. Also available at the Fair were various break-out sessions on stress and relaxation, massage, and journal writing. The Health and Wellness Fair was well attended and received very positive feedback.

In addition to the Health Fair, staff and faculty were invited to participate in various other events during the month of March, including: Walk at the Works, Campus Bowling, and Social and Health Eating Sessions.

MUN, through its Wellness Education Department, is looking forward to gearing up for Summer Active 2002.

A Valentine Event

On February 14, 2002, Linda Carter of the St. John’s Heart Health Coalition, and Glendora Boland, Dietitian with Health and Community Services, St. John’s Region, delivered an activity-based heart health Valentine activity for participants in one of the City of St. John’s Outreach Programs. All thirty-four participants and four leaders were involved in and enjoyed the festive Valentine activities, especially as there were prizes to be won.

The Valentine Activity started with a heart health puzzle. Each group was given four puzzle pieces which they were to put together in the shape of a heart. Each puzzle piece represented a key heart health message, and introduced the topics to be covered during the session.

Short presentations on each of the heart health messages were followed by a group activity. For healthy eating, participants planned a meal with food from each of the four food groups; for the smoke-free section, participants tested their lung capacity by blowing bubbles and blowing up balloons; the physical activity session saw participants playing a modified game of “Simon Says”; and, for relaxation and being stress free, everyone participated in a series of breathing exercises.

The Heart Health presentation finished with some prize draws and a great snack of fruit and veggies.

This event made for a very Happy Valentines Day!

YM/YWCA Sweetheart Fitness

On February 14, 2002, more than 100 people participated in the YM/YWCA’s Sweetheart Fitness at the main building on New Cove Road, St. John’s. Members were all encouraged to bring a friend, a family member, or a colleague (a.k.a. sweetheart) to the fitness class. Many participants wore red and were greeted at the door with a special valentine. The Sweetheart Fitness Class included jumping, skipping, running, walking and lots of laughing to “songs of love”. Following 60 minutes of self-paced physical activity, all in attendance enjoyed nutritious snacks and a chance to talk about the event. At this point, the class was enthusiastically joined by members exercising in the conditioning centre.

Sweetheart Fitness has become an annual activity for the YM/YWCA in St. John’s. It has proven a great opportunity to encourage new people to become involved in physical activity in a non-threatening environment, which also supports healthy food choices. As it was also Heart Month, brochures promoting heart health messages were made available to fitness participants and their “sweethearts”. Materials demonstrating how to improve overall health and well being are always readily available to Y members on an ongoing basis.

Farewell to Linda Carter

The St. John’s Heart Health Coalition is saying farewell and a big thank-you to Linda Carter, former Chair of the St. John’s Heart Health Coalition. Linda has been with the St. John’s Coalition since its formation in October 1995, and a part of the Newfoundland and Labrador Heart Health Program since its inception in 1990. Linda has made a great contribution, both regionally and provincially, to the Heart Health initiative and health promotion in general.

Linda has accepted a one year assignment within Health and Community Services, St. John’s Region.

All the best Linda and stay in touch.