Health is Wealth – I Care, You Care, We Care
Event: Inaugural Health and Wellness Day
Date: February 24, 2024
Location: Global Kingdom Ministries, 1250 Markham Road, Scarborough, Ontario
Hosted by: Dotty Nicholas Sickle Cell Scholarship Fund Association
The 2024 Health and Wellness Day was born from a place of deep personal reflection and a desire to uplift our community. After losing my eldest sister to heart failure and hypertension in 2018, I became profoundly aware of how crucial it is to nurture our health—not just for ourselves, but for those we love. As a registered nurse with over five decades of experience, I felt called to share my knowledge and support the well-being of our church and local community.
Our special day began with heartfelt opening remarks from the Vice President of our association, followed by a meaningful prayer and a Land Acknowledgement. We were honored to receive greetings from both the Member of Parliament for Scarborough Rouge-Park and the Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough-Guildwood, whose words of encouragement set a positive tone for the day.
The day featured informative presentations on a range of crucial health topics. Attendees learned about diabetes from a Registered Nurse and Dietitian with the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Community. The Executive Director and a prostate cancer survivor from The Walnut Society offered insights on prostate cancer. The President of the Olive Branch of Hope spoke about breast cancer. Hypertension in pediatric sickle cell patients was addressed by a staff physician from the Scarborough Health Network. Mental health and addiction were discussed by a Registered Social Worker and we also explored mental health in the context of COVID-19. Fitness and nutrition were highlighted by a Registered Social Worker and Mental Health Coach who provided practical tips for everyday wellness.
Each presentation was designed to empower, educate and inspire everyone present. One of the most cherished moments was our group exercise session where music and movement brought everyone together in joyful celebration of health. The massage therapy provided by Brian College was another highlight offering relaxation and comfort to all who participated.
From the very beginning, meticulous planning went into every aspect of the event including venue selection, promotional activities, securing knowledgeable speakers and providing refreshments. All these elements contributed to the great success we experienced.
We are deeply grateful to all who attended and contributed to making our first Health and Wellness Day a heartfelt success. We invite you to explore the gallery and relive the moments that made this day so meaningful for our community.
Sincerely,
Dotty Nicholas
