A combination of mild winter weather and an early March warm-up are resulting in an intense and early season for allergy sufferers. These conditions allowed trees to pollinate earlier than usual. In eastern North Carolina, pollen levels usually peak in early to mid-spring when most of our native trees such as pines and oaks are flowering. Some of the biggest spring allergy offenders also include grasses and weeds. The trees, many of which are widespread in Greater Fayetteville, also include birch, beech and cedar.  

This year, the pollen was noticeable a week before spring had sprung. Pollen levels are considered high when daily counts exceed 270 grains per cubic meter. Pollen counts at state environmental laboratories in Raleigh have already reached leveled of 428 and 450. They could get much higher, though. The good news? Seasonal peaks like this usually only occur within a one- or two-week span. 

With pollen on the rise, allergies won’t be far behind. People who are bothered by allergies may want to limit their time outdoors until pollen levels decline. State environmental experts say the worst times to be outdoors in the pollen are during early morning hours and when it is windy outside. Keeping doors and windows shut with air conditioners running helps to reduce pollen levels indoors. Rainy days, on the other hand, cause a drop in the pollen counts, because the rain washes away the allergens. And of course the rain washes away the residue on the roofs of our homes and cars…at least temporarily.

The immune system normally defends the body against harmful invaders, such as viruses and bacteria, to ward off illnesses. According to WebMD the immune system, mistakenly seeing the pollen as foreign invaders, releases antibodies — substances that normally identify and attack bacteria, viruses and other illness-causing organisms. The antibodies attack the allergens, which leads to the release of chemicals called histamines into the blood. It’s the histamines that trigger the runny nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms of allergies. Allergic reactions result from specific types of pollen. The reaction leads to numerous irritating symptoms, such as sneezing, stuffy nose and watery eyes. 

Some people have pollen allergies year-round, while others only have them during certain times of the year. For example, people who are sensitive to birch pollen will usually have increased symptoms during the spring when birch trees are in bloom. Similarly, those with ragweed allergies will be most affected during the late spring and early fall. A pollen allergy is sometimes referred to as hay fever. 

If you’re one of the millions of Americans dealing with sinus problems, you know how miserable facial pain and clogged nasal passages can be. Allergies affect up to 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children in the United States. Symptoms can be treated with medications and allergy shots. Many sinus sufferers have turned to nasal saline irrigation, a therapy that uses a salt and water solution to flush out the nasal passages. 

One of the most popular methods is use of the Neti pot — a ceramic or plastic pot that looks like a cross between a small teapot and Aladdin’s magic lamp. Although nasal irrigation using the Neti pot has been around for centuries, its use is on the rise in the United States. 

Cancer is a too common diagnosis that can uproot and create chaos within a family. Those at the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center are there to help and raise needed funds to support local families. 

The 10th Annual Ribbon Walk and Run is slated for Sunday, April 10. The event begins at Festival Park, and is hosted by the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center with presenting sponsors Stanley Steemer and Gill Security. New this year is the change from a Walk and Ride to a Walk and Run.

“We’ve had several requests from runners to include a race so new this year is a sanctioned 5K run. We are expecting 1,500 participants on that Sunday afternoon,” said Tara Hinton, development coordinator for the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation. “It means so much to our patients to see the community come together to help during these difficult times while we all have someone to remember and honor fighting this battle.”

Teams also include local dignitaries including Miss Fayetteville’s Crowns for Service and #teamdees, supporting former Hope Mills Mayor Eddie Dees who is battling pancreatic cancer. 

Runners and walkers can sign up until the day of registration at 1 p.m. Registration fees in advance are $25 for walkers, $30 for runners and $20 for all cancer survivors whether walking or running. Limited edition Survivor t-shirts are available on a first come, first served basis. Don’t wait until the day of the event, but if you do, it’s an extra $5. 

The opening ceremony will start on April 10 at 2 p.m. with the emcee Don Chase from WKML, Special Forces Association Parachute team jump, Miss Fort Bragg singing the National Anthem, survivor recognition with photo displays and a fun Zumba warmup by the HealthPlex.  The race will begin at 3 p.m. with runners starting first,  and walkers following. 

Also new to the event this year is a large jumbotron digital billboard, where friends and family can submit photos in memory or in honor of loved ones. The display photo forms are available on the website and the deadline for submission is April 4. 

The Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Cape Fear Valley Health and all funds donated the Health Foundation are directed to programs and services. The Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center helps provide hundreds of cancer patients with emotional support, informational resources, free mammograms, food supplements, wigs and gas vouchers, free hats and turbans, massages and reflexology, Artful Reflections art therapy and emergency needs funding such as mortgage and utility payments. In addition, each year Friends of the Cancer Center sponsors Camp Rockfish, a camp to celebrate life for cancer patients and their families.

There are three signature fundraising events according to Hinton, including this race. The two other events include the Friends of Children Golf Classic, which will be held on Oct. 6 to benefit children at Cape Fear Valley including the NICU and the Cape Fear Valley Gala in January. Throughout the year, there are also 30+ third party events such as the Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union charity golf tournament, the Methodist University Play for Kay and the Fayetteville State University Ball in Pink. 

“Community support extends whether they know someone personally and are trying to raise needed funds, or our annual events,” said Hinton. “There are others throughout the year and they help support our mission.  The most important part is these funds being raised stay at home and go directly in the door of Cape Fear Valley. By supporting this event or the various ones during the year, you may be helping someone you know.”

For more information about the 2016 Run/Walk, to start a team or signup or to donate, visit www.ribbonwalkforcancer.org. 

Throw a stone into still water and the affect is far reaching. One ripple spawns the next for several iterations. Leadership is like that. A teachable moment with a mentor, a shared experience with a colleague, an “Aha!” moment when something clicks into place, these all cause ripples. They make us better. They empower us and the people around us. 

Brad Loase, owner of Express Employment Professionals, is in the business of empowering people (and businesses, because businesses are made up of people) to be and do their best. By matching the right people with the right jobs, Express changes businesses and lives, which in turn impacts the community. And that is where Loase’s passion lies — in doing what he can to help foster a thriving and prosperous community. For Loase, that comes in the form of the Refresh Leadership Live Simulcast, which Express Employment, the Greater Fayetteville Chamber and Holiday Inn I-95 host each year. This year’s event falls on April 13 and includes speakers, breakout sessions, a panel discussion and more.

“This is a really great opportunity to learn more about leadership on many levels,” said Loase. “We’ve got three internationally-
known leaders and a very highly regarded state-level speaker. This is the seventh year for Refresh Leadership Live, but it’s the second year we have partnered with the Chamber. It blew me away last year. We have incredible leaders here.” 

The simulcast portion of the day runs from 9 a.m. to noon and features Marshall Goldsmith, author, professor, and executive coach; Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal, television sports analyst and 15-time NBA All-Star; and Kaplan Mobray, author, motivational speaker and career consultant. Phyllis Houston-Washington is the luncheon keynote speaker. After lunch, there will be breakout sessions and a panel discussion. The event concludes with Business After Hours. Throughout the day, tables are set up with local vendors sharing educational and business-related resources.

Loase sees this event as something unique that can make a difference locally. 

“Your community is only as successful as the people in the community make it. I always want to do things to help make the community stronger,” said Loase. “I would not do this if I felt like it was standard boxed messages that we were repeating. These are people speaking from the heart, sharing true experiences and giving honest insight about how they got to where they are.”

Marshall Goldsmith is the first speaker of the day. His talk is titled What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There. Goldsmith’s books include two New York Times best sellers: Mojo and What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There. He also teaches at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business.

Shaquille O’Neal’s piece is in a question and answer format and is titled “Leadership Lessons from Inside the Paint.” He’ll share leadership lessons he’s learned on and off the court. A legendary NBA star, O’Neal is also ranked among the 100 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company Magazine.

Mobray rounds out the simulcast portion of the event with a talk about “The 10 Ls of Leadership.” In it, he challenges listeners to understand their unique leadership qualities and how to best use them. He is the author of The 10 Ks of Personal Branding.

The keynote speaker Phyllis Houston-Washington currently lives in Charlotte, but she is no stranger to Fayetteville. She and her family lived here for several years, during which time she worked for WCLN and WFSS. 

“I still have friends in Fayetteville. Coming to Fayetteville is like coming home,” said Washington. “I am looking forward to coming back and sharing about how strong Fayetteville is and what they have that they don’t even realize.”

Washington promises a fresh perspective on leadership in her presentation. Don’t expect to hear the buzz words, key phrases and recycled steps to success and other clichés that are common at leadership conferences. In fact, Washington is planning “… something life-changing for leaders and those they lead.” She added, “Attendees can expect to walk away with something personal, practical and that they can apply to their lives. I will talk about the legacy of leadership. We don’t always recognize our own value.”

Taking the legacy concept a step further, there will be a workshop after lunch led by Washington. “We will talk about developing a leadership brand,” she said.

Loase noted that while the event is free, lunch is not. It costs $35. Chamber members; however, do receive a discounted price for the meal - $30. 

“My favorite part of the day is watching the people getting engaged and seeing reactions as they listen to the speakers,” he said. “They are movers and shakers in our world and they are sharing their experience. It is a way to give back to community. A lot of companies will do things like this and charge for it. We don’t want to charge — we want to make out community better.”

Register for the simulcast at https://www.expresspros.com/RefreshLeadershipLiveSimulcast/Registration.aspx. Register for the luncheon at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/refresh-leadership-live-simulcast-and-business-expo-ticckets23848549654?aff=ebrowse

For more information, call Loase at
910 437 5959.