United Nurses and Partners Host Family Fitness Festival and Youth Soccer Clinic

Oct. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- Los Angeles – On Saturday, October 23, the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) partnered with Launch Sports and Assemblymember Kevin de Leon to host the Family Fitness Festival for families in California’s 45th Assembly District. With nearly 200 children and 100 parents in attendance, the Festival in Vista Hermosa Park provided families with valuable information toward living healthy and while providing children ages 7-14 a soccer clinic.

UNAC/UHCP staff and members gave the families present blood pressure screenings throughout the day. UNAC/UHCP volunteers also discussed health management and highlighted the importance of regular screening exams.

“Our members are dedicated to meeting the health care needs of the communities we serve,” stated Jimmy Gomez, Political Director for UNAC/UHCP. “We volunteer our time to provide free health screenings, particularly in areas that include some of Southern California’s most vulnerable populations. We partner with organizations like Launch Sports and legislative representatives like Assemblymember de Leon who are equally committed to promoting the ideals of physical fitness and health awareness among California’s working families.”

The day’s activities started with a soccer clinic offered by Launch Sports, Inc. and an exercise clinic offered by Health Net, with UNAC/UHCP members and staff administering health screenings to the event participants. Launch Sports worked closely with the 7-14 year olds to teach them the basics of soccer and the importance of physical fitness in its continuing commitment to making a positive impact in young lives.

“Launch Sports is a company that develops health initiatives for the communities in and around Los Angeles County,” commented Dr. Kevin Mercado, president and founder of Launch Sports. “Through health programs like today's event and working with health care-focused organizations like UNAC, Launch Sports promotes healthy lifestyles among community members, particularly the youth, and make a positive impact in their lives.”

Assemblymember Kevin de Leon participated in the Festival, meeting many of the families in his District who were being screened and expressed gratitude to the Assemblymember for making these resources available.

“The 45th Assembly District is suffering from rising rates of obesity, asthma, diabetes and hypertension. Many of these health issues are preventable and manageable with better diets and regular exercise,” said Assemblymember Kevin de Leon, who represents the district. “I feel it is my duty as a representative of this district to do all I can to try and educate and inform my constituents on how simple lifestyle changes can prevent many health problems.”


The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals is the largest nurses union in Southern California and represents registered nurses and other health care professionals. UNAC/UHCP, as the association is known, is affiliated with the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. For more information on UNAC/UHCP, visit www.unacuhcp.org.


Assemblymember Kevin de Leon represents the 45th Assembly District that includes the communities of Lincoln Heights, Mount Washington, Highland Park, El Sereno, Chinatown, Historic Filipinotown, Elysian Park, Atwater Village, Echo Park, Silver Lake, Thai town, Little Armenia, Hollywood and parts of unincorporated East Los Angeles. Assemblymember De Leon is running unopposed for the California State Senate District 22 in this November 2010 General Election. For more information on Assemblymember de Leon, visit http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a45. 


Launch Sports’ mission is to assist the youth and adult population of the Greater Los Angeles community to acquire a better understanding of fitness and sport, and its overall benefits in life. A better understanding carries the potential of launching the individual to make improvements in their life that are necessary to succeed. Whether it pertains to sport, or life without sport, personal physical gains may lead to personal psychological gains, thus creating tremendous advantages for the participating individual. For more information on Launch Sports, visit www.launchsports.com.

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The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals is the largest nurses union in Southern California representing nurses and other health care professionals.