Colorado Community Media in partnership with Parker Adventist Hospital is excited to announce the return of the Women’s Health and Wellness Event, coming to the Parker Fieldhouse on Friday, Oct. 13.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado Community Media, which prints 24 newspapers across the Front Range, including the Parker Chronicle, hosted the annual event for three years at the Belmar shopping center in Lakewood.

This year, the event has moved to Douglas County thanks to the partnership with the Parker Chamber of Commerce, which has joined the event as the venue sponsor.

"The Parker Chamber has a huge number of member businesses in the wellness space, and this is an excellent and affordable opportunity for them to get in front of the community,” said T.J. Sullivan, the chamber's CEO. “We are excited to partner with Colorado Community Media to put these incredible small businesses in front of potential clients."

The 2023 event will be held at the Parker Fieldhouse, located at 18700 Plaza Drive, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As the event continues the planning stages, Colorado Community Media will be seeking sponsors and vendors interested in providing local women a day of pampering, healthcare and services.

“Women’s health is an area near and dear to my heart,” said event producer Thelma Grimes. “As a working mom, I know how often we set aside our own needs as we take care of our families and work. This event gives women of all ages a day that is all about them. We provide gift bags, services and fun.”

In starting the first Women’s Health event in 2018, Grimes talked about how it is personal for her. Grimes has a 17-year-old daughter, Amy, whom she adopted after the girl's biological mother was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer. Amy’s biological mother ignored symptoms for nearly two years before being diagnosed too late. Grimes’ close family has heart issues in the family. Grimes’ grandmother died at age 50 of a heart attack. Her aunt also died at 50 of breast cancer. All these issues can be prevented or treated quickly with early detection, which has pushed Grimes to put an emphasis on the importance of women’s health throughout her professional career.

Before the pandemic, Grimes covered healthcare issues along the Front Range, where local healthcare professionals talked about women putting off preventative care and self-care. After the pandemic, the issues become even worse. Doctors said women started putting off mammograms, pap smears and mental/emotional care at even higher rates.

By creating a day where education, beauty and personal health are at the forefront of discussions, women will also be educated about local programs and services in local communities.

For more information about being a part of the upcoming women’s health event, send an inquiry to events@coloradocommunitymedia.com.