ESTEVAN - Women will have an opportunity to learn more about health during an information night at the Southeast College's Estevan campus on Dec. 3, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Five speakers have been lined up for the Women's Health event. Jennifer Olfert and Twila Walkeden, who are personal trainers and nutrition coaches, will share personal stories. Also scheduled to speak are nurse practitioners Raquel Carlson and Jeanie Daku, and registered psychologist Cynthia Beck.
Olfert said all 150 tickets for the event had been gobbled up, and approximately 30 names were on a waitlist as of Sunday afternoon. The poster for the event says there will be an insightful conversation designed to empower, educate and support women in their health journey. Highlights will include menopause, perimenopause, post-menopause, coping advice and a question-and-answer session.
The event came about after Lindsee Michel hosted a similar event in Weyburn that Olfert attended. The two met afterwards and Olfert asked if Michel, who owns Spilling Prairie Tea, would be interested in collaborating on an event in Estevan. Michel will be the moderator on Dec. 3 and Olfert said this wouldn't be happening without Michel.
"It's going to be a great event and I'm really looking forward to it," said Olfert.
She noted that there are a lot of unknowns about menopause and so many women feel alone as they experience it. She has a lot of empathy for those in her family who had to go through it without help.
"I have two daughters, and I don't want them to have to go through this," said Olfert. "There is help out there, and ... it actually just blows my mind that there isn't more information."
Olfert said she has found a good nurse practitioner who focuses on women's health. She believes the two nurse practitioners who will speak in Estevan "are amazing women," who she heard speak in Weyburn.
"I'm really excited to have them come to Estevan and for this event to unfold. I've had lots of women calling and messaging to book in and tell me their stories, and it's heartbreaking to hear some of the stories of some of the women and what they have gone through."
She hopes they will come together and show each other support through what is often a private conversation. Some women will go through minor changes during menopause, while other women have life-changing experiences that can be scary.
It's a free event to attend, which she said is by design so that cost isn't a deterrent.
