Kishwaukee Community Hospital, 1 Kish Hospital Drive, will host a women’s health event called “This One’s for the Girls.”

The event will take place on Friday and Saturday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and will consist of a variety of free activities, snacks, raffles and health screenings.

Some of the free activities include skin spot checks, depression screenings, nutritional counseling, sleep apnea screenings, chair massages and a purse weigh-in.

“Attending the event is a good way to learn about one’s current health status in a sensitive, female-focused, fun and cost-free way as well as increase one’s awareness of the need for future health screenings,” said Bev Espe, assistant director of NIU Health Services.

“This One’s for the Girls” is a part of a 16-week marketing campaign for women’s health, said Theresa Komitas, senior marketing and PR specialist for the KishHealth System. The campaign highlights 14 different service lines at Kishwaukee Hospital available to women.

Kishwaukee Hospital decided to host this event because women are the primary decision-makers for the health of their families, Komitas said. If women set an example that prevention and early detection is important, their families are more likely to follow suit.

“Women always put their families first,” Komitas said. “This event gives women the opportunity to put themselves and their health first.”

There is no registration required for the various screenings except mammograms. All other screenings will take place on a first-come, first-serve basis and are free of charge.

For those who might need additional counseling, testing or screening, follow-up information will also be available.

“It sounds like a good idea to pull people out there, especially with people so busy on campus,” said senior anthropology major Stephanie King. “They might not have time to get check-ups.”

The event is open to women of all ages and the proceeds from the event will benefit the hospital auxiliary.

Transportation to the event is available through the Huskie Bus line and the TransVac lines.

“I think that’s a good event for people to attend, even though it’s not on campus,” said senior nursing major Sarah Zahlmann.