St. Albert’s Erin Rauf is no couch potato. For one thing, the stay-at-home mother is raising three young, energetic boys.
But last year, Rauf wanted to make a lasting impact on women’s health and wellness. To that end she co-ordinated Celebrating Women, a wellness fundraiser held in her living room that attracted 26 women and generated around $1,000 for Ovarian Cancer Canada.
Rauf had planned to make it a one-shot deal. “At the end of the event, about a dozen women said, ‘That was wonderful. What are you doing next year?’” chuckles Rauf.
The positive feedback encouraged her to explore new avenues. This year Rauf has coordinated Celebrating Women ... A Red Affair, a take-off on the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s The Heart Truth campaign. This year it is hosted at the Kinsmen Banquet Centre on Sunday, June 5.
“Heart and stroke is often targeted to men, but the issue for women is just as serious,” Rauf explains. She adds that hormone replacement therapy, contraceptives and pregnancy can adversely affect women’s overall health.
To minimize heart and stroke issues, Rauf believes women need to deal with serious weight gain issues. Special guest nutritionist Emily Burt featured on Breakfast TV will offer a few insights.
“She has such a passion for wellness and food. She works with athletes. She works with the community. She seemed really excited about this and it seemed like a nice fit.”
Balancing a body’s physical requirements is the need to eliminate stress. To that end, Becca Pati, an ayurvedic wellness counsellor, will touch on exercise and yoga. “She’s such a beautiful woman. She has such a great aura you want to listen to her speak longer.”
And finally stand-up comedian Lars Callieou, a hit with the all-women crowd last year, returns for another bout of laugher. Rauf met Callieou about 11 years ago when the two worked as blackjack dealers. “He went to work on a cruise ship, became a comedian and even went overseas to entertain the troops.”
As for his comedy, “He’s not vulgar in any sense. He’s very witty and his comedy comes from life experience.”
Although this is a serious program, Rauf finds that laughter lightens the mood. “I love to laugh. It’s good for your health and it brings people together.”
Upwards of 70 women have registered for the event, nearly tripling last year’s numbers.
An auction is also planned with assorted gifts for personal training, makeovers, photo sessions and spa days to name a few.
Doors open at 1 p.m. Tickets are $35, dinner included. To register, visit www.thepaisleypear.ca.
