ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
In April, the Immunize Kansas Coalition hosted Entre Mujeres: The Health of Women, a premier event for women of all ages across Kansas, in Kansas City, Kan.
Now, IKC is bringing the conference to Southwest Kansas Oct. 26 at Garden City’s Horace Good Middle School. Community Health Specialist Patricia Fierro said the event focuses on women’s health and in particular breast screenings, breast cancer and cervical cancer, along with anything that pertains to women’s health.
Fierro said while the conference centers on women’s health, men and children can come as well.
The featured speaker will be Dr. Patricia Miller, an obstetrician gynecologist with Meade District Hospital, and another provider will talk about the importance of the HPV vaccine.
“We’ll go into detail about why it’s important and what kind of cancers you can get from HPV,” Fierro said.
Fierro said the Entre Mujeres event in April had great results, and with that in mind, the conference was brought to Southwest Kansas, where she expects similar results.
“We’re hoping to get about 150 to 200 people to attend the event,” she said. “There is a small fee of $10.”
For those who cannot afford the cost, Fierro said they need to reach out to her to see about getting a fee waiver.
“We want it to be for everyone,” she said. “We want everyone to have access to be able to get this information.”
Following the speakers, cancer survivors will be recognized, appetizers will be served, and vendors will likewise be on hand for people who attend.
“We’ll be doing the free breast examinations and also providing the HPV vaccine through the Finney County Health Department,” Fierro said.
Thus far, Fierro said the idea of having the Entre Mujeres event in Southwest Kansas has met with good acceptance.
“We’ve been taking it around,” she said. “We’re starting to get these flyers everywhere locally. We’re covering all of Southwest Kansas, so I will be distributing throughout Ford County, Stevens County, Seward County, Meade County. My coworker will be getting the other counties.”
Fierro said she hopes all who attend the Garden City conference get much out of it, but primarily an awareness of both their own health and women’s overall health.
She said men need to get an understanding of how to identify issues and being aware of what could be happening. She said everyone should could get an education on the HPV vaccine, how it is important and how it helps prevent six different types of cancers.
“People who are able to get this shot administered would be from ages 9 to 45,” she said.
Fierro said conference attendees will also get a vast amount of knowledge and understanding.
“If they didn’t know, if they had any doubts or questions, they’re able to answer them for them,” she said.
Fierro said she is super excited for Oct. 26 in Garden City.
“It’s always fun to have these kinds of conferences, being able to educate a large group of women or families and being able to provide the vaccine and getting people immunized, which is our goal,” she said.
Entre Mujeres will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Horace Good Middle School at 1412 N. Main Street in Garden City. Register for $10 and learn more at www.immunizekansascoalition.org/entre-mujeres.aspx.
