Dave Mager to lead WCA Children’s Health Day International effort

Dave Mager, one of the most successful and popular motivational speakers in the chiropractic profession, has accepted an invitation to oversee the World Chiropractic Alliance Children's Health Day International (CHDI) event, sponsored by the WCA Council on Children’s Health. The invitation was extended by Council Chairman Joel Miller, DC, and WCA President Terry A. Rondberg, DC.

The next event will be held Saturday, May 14.

The potential growth of the twice-a-year community health fair, particularly in light of its recent affiliation with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, made it vital to have someone who will focus solely on ensuring that the event is fun and successful for doctors and participants, Dr. Rondberg explained.

Dr. Miller launched the program last year and built the strong foundation upon which the event will build. Most of the materials were developed through years of use in his own health day events, and have a proven record of success in introducing numerous families to chiropractic.

“I appreciate the opportunity to make a contribution to this exciting program,” Mager stated. “Terry and Joel have done an incredible job of establishing the event and I’m looking forward to taking it to the next level so that hundreds of DCs around the world can bring important health care information to families, and learn the benefits of chiropractic for children.”

Like so many other chiropractic advocates, Mager learned about chiropractic from first hand experience. He tried to learn to live with the pain and symptoms resulting from sports injuries, but eventually he could barely turn his head and started having numbness and tingling in his left arm. Frustrated with his MD’s failure to help, he swallowed his skepticism and went to a long-time friend who was a chiropractor.

After his friend taught him more about health and the role of chiropractic, he stopped calling DCs “bone crackers” and “spine crunchers.” He not only found a path to a healthier life, he found a new vocation -- helping chiropractors reach as many people like himself as possible -- to spread the chiropractic story to everyone.

“That’s what I want doctors to do with Children’s Health Day International,” he said. “I want them to make sure everyone in their town knows that chiropractic isn’t only for athletes or adults with low back pain. Right now, too many parents think that earaches and frequent colds and childhood diseases are ‘normal.’ We need them to understand that just because these conditions are common doesn’t make them normal.”

Doctors who register for the event receive access to the entire CHDI online manual, which includes step-by-step instructions on how to plan, organize and hold the health fair, as well as tips on successful screenings and fund raising activities. Everything from sample press releases to a week-by-week time line is included in the manual. Registration is free for WCA members and $99 per event for non-members.

For doctors who want to ‘take it up a notch,’ Mager has commissioned “Special Edition” versions of his posters, brochures and other patient education and practice promotion material, including an animated, narrated Powerpoint presentation on a DVD, perfect for viewing during screenings, in a waiting room, or at a booth during the Children’s Health Day International. All items are available at a reduced cost for doctors participating in the CHDI program.

The affiliation with the Make-A-Wish Foundation is also going to put the event in the fast lane, Mager commented. “It puts us in the big league, and allows us to get incredible publicity for the event. Can you imagine how many people will show up if they know that, in addition to getting tons of free health information, they’re helping make a critically ill child’s wish come true?”

Local chapters of the Make-A-Wish Foundation will work closely with doctors to plan and publicize their events, including assigning specific “wishes” to increase interest and publicity. All donations raised during the Children’s Health Day International event, from activities such as raffles, etc., will go directly to the local chapter. In addition, doctors are urged to schedule appointments for full chiropractic exams and evaluations and provide those new patient visits in exchange for a $50 donation to their local Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter. This has the potential to raise a tremendous amount of money for the non-profit organization and attract numerous new patients who see the offer as a chance to get a free chiropractic evaluation while making a charitable contribution to a worthwhile cause.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” Mager emphasizes. “And doctors will enjoy the added benefit of positioning themselves as a professional with true community spirit. Done right, this can bring in thousands of dollars worth of free publicity for a doctor’s practice, and with our manual, materials and support, every doctor can put on the event with a minimum of work and effort.”

Doctors interested in taking part in the WCA Children's Health Day International event can register online at www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/children. Once registered, they receive a username and password for access to the CHDI manual, as well as links for ordering Mager’s support material and receiving additional personalized support from Miller and Mager.