Get ready for an event that’s big, mega and even colossal.
Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC) Celebrate Life Health Expo 2019 will feature MEGA Body and MEGA Heart – the world’s only portable, inflatable, walk-through exhibits of the human body and the human heart. The Expo will also include a colossal colon, courtesy of Boston Scientific.
“Touring MEGA Body, MEGA Heart and the colossal colon is a fun and informative adventure for people of all ages,” said YRMC Director of Marketing and Communications Ken Boush. “This is truly an extraordinary and rare opportunity that we’re thrilled to make available to our community during Celebrate Life Health Expo.”
Interactive tours of the larger-than-life inflatables and nearly 100 health and wellness exhibits are part of this year’s Expo. A free community service of YRMC, the Expo takes place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 7, at Findlay Toyota Center, 3201 North Main Street in Prescott Valley.
Meet the MEGAs
Tours of MEGA Body, MEGA Heart and the colossal colon delve into how the body operates, potential health challenges and how our lifestyle choices – diet, exercise and not smoking – can help us stay healthy.
“Boston Scientific’s colossal colon is a good example of this,” Boush said. “It’s designed to share lifesaving information to prevent diseases of the large intestine and digestive system.”
MEGA Body includes a teeth-to-torso exploration of the body that begins in the mouth, where visitors learn about cavities and oral hygiene. As you travel through MEGA Body – approximately 50 feet long by 15 feet wide by 12 feet tall – you’ll learn about our body’s bones, muscles, skin and even our ears. You’ll also journey to many organs, including the:
Brain
Esophagus
Stomach
Intestines
Kidneys
Heart
Lungs
Get Pumped About MEGA Heart
At 26 feet long by 15 feet wide by 13 feet tall, MEGA Heart has earned its name. Visitors to this big heart are in for a highly interactive educational experience designed to increase awareness of heart disease and share information on how to keep your heart healthy.
During your MEGA heart adventure, you’ll see how a healthy heart functions, observe examples of various types of heart disease and check out displays featuring some of the latest medical treatments for heart problems.
Here’s what you’ll see inside MEGA Heart:
Heart valves – The heart’s four valves control blood flow in and out of the heart.
Endocarditis – An infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers and heart valves.
Ventricular septal defect – A hole in the heart, which is a common heart defect that’s present at birth.
You’ll also learn about heart attacks, irregular heart rhythms and blood clots as well as current ways to treat those conditions.
“Representatives from YRMC’s James Family Heart Center will join the Expo to highlight the Center’s state-of-the-art medical services and impressive facilities,” said Boush.
To continue the focus on heart awareness, the James Family Heart Center will premiere a video of a pig heart dissection that will run hourly throughout the Expo. Pig hearts – provided by a scientific supply company – are used to teach heart anatomy because they are nearly identical to the human heart.
Best Exhibits Ever
In 2019, nearly 100 organizations committed to health, wellness and community well-being will participate in YRMC’s Expo.
“The Expo is a great opportunity for people to connect with like-minded organizations and individuals,” Boush explained. “If you enjoy hiking, biking, cooking, exercising, learning and more, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the Expo.”
Here are just a few examples of the experiences and opportunities available to Expo attendees:
People and organizations dedicated to biking, hiking and other healthy lifestyles.
A “smoothie bike” – create a nutritious smoothie as you pedal for fitness.
Healthy nutrition tips and demonstrations (with samples).
CPR basics and first aid tips from emergency experts.
Self-defense and chair yoga demonstrations.
Kids’ fitness routines and information about tennis for kids.
Professional face painters and photos with your favorite mascot, YRMC’s Wellby the Yavabear.
Pre-diabetes self-assessments, lung function tests, blood pressure checks and compression sock fittings.
Chances to get into prize drawings for a Fitbit, Target gift card, a gift basket with kids’ dental health items and more.
Learn more about Celebrate Life Health Expo, see photos and view videos of MEGA Heart and MEGA Body and watch for Expo updates at YRMCHealthConnect.org/Celebrate-Life-Health-Expo. QCBN
By Bridget O’Gara
Bridget O’Gara is a writer, communications strategist and project manager who specializes in healthcare. She works with mission-driven healthcare organizations, including hospitals, other healthcare providers and advocacy organizations.
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