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Christmas music resonated into the halls, setting the mood at the “Healthy Living” health fair sponsored by Peer Education on Tuesday in the Totman Lounge in Memorial Union.
“This [health fair] focused around illnesses that may be common but not well known,” said Aaron Sterling, a peer educator and the new vice president of Student Government.
The health fair offered pamphlets of information to students on five different diseases, including melanomas, or skin cancer, cystic fibrosis, Crone’s disease, epilepsy and diabetes.
Also offered were samples of both male and female condoms, diabetic vitamins and an assortment of carbohydrate- and sugar-free baked goods for sale. All proceeds from the desserts will be donated to Eastern Maine Medical Center’s diabetes research center.
The Peer Ed event went from 11 a.m to 2 p.m, and though the turnout during this time was less than expected, members were nevertheless enthusiastic about the service they provided.
“I don’t think people realized that these health concerns could affect them at any point in their lives by inflicting them personally or through their families or friends,” said Angela Fiandaca, the graduate assistant for Peer Ed. “Learning information about topics you may not know much about is what college is all about. I wish more people had come to get the information we were providing.”
Other than the informational packets about the diseases mentioned above, Peer Ed procured the knowledge of the University of Maine’s department dietitian Laura Honeycutt, who was available to provide any information on basic nutrition as well as discuss the debilitating effects of Crone’s disease.
“Crone’s disease is an inflammatory disease in the smaller intestines,” said Honeycutt. “If it’s in an active stage, it’s really debilitating and can cause significant weight loss. Onset usually affects ages 15 to 30, so this is the age group.”
For those with adventurous tendencies, Cutler Health Center’s Patti Spearing was on hand to test students’ pulmonary function, which serves as a test for cystic fibrosis.
“It’s a measurement of the volume of air you have in your lungs,” said Spearing.
Students were instructed to take a deep breath and exhale as long and fast as they could. After several attempts, readings were delivered to the lightheaded, but high-spirited participants.
Peer Ed does more than just provide information on campus about diseases during a health fair.
“We go to the dorms, fraternities, sororities and do workshops and conferences,” said peer educator Amanda Mullen, “not in just the Orono and Bangor areas, but down in Bar Harbor and Portland to spread the word about eating disorders, safe sex, cultural diversity, etc.”
Fiandaca commented on the event’s low turnout.
“It’s another case of people being hesitant to get involved with something they don’t know much about in the first place,” she said.
Bangor Daily News