Are you ready to revamp your health? The “Wellness in Bloom” event at Cape Fear Botanical Gardens offers a chance to relax, recharge, and reevaluate lifestyle choices, all while having fun in the great outdoors.
The event is a collaboration between FirstHealth of the Carolinas and Cape Fear Botanical Gardens and will integrate opportunities for wellness education and free health evaluations with the slow-paced and nurturing environment of the Botanical Gardens. Yoga, cooking inspiration with a registered dietician, lung screenings, and nature walks are among several of the scheduled events attendees can participate in.
Ellen Cooper, Strategic Relationship Manager at First Health of the Carolinas, says FirstHealth seeks to reach underserved populations with health resources.
“FirstHealth’s mission is to care for people, and that is simply what we do,” she explained. She said the not-for-profit healthcare network serves 15 counties, including Cumberland County, “We strive to provide the best quality care however we can and through whatever means that may be—so if that's through a community event or a lung cancer screening bus or visits at a primary care or convenient care clinic, our focus and mission is to care for people.”
The event is designed so that attendees can attend whatever portion they choose. If guests want to explore fitness and mindfulness, they can try adult yoga, Tai Chi, or a guided nature walk. Fitness professionals will be on hand to offer personalized health tips. For kids, check out the kids' activities or crafting and painting stations. If guests are interested in reimagining their diet, they can attend an interactive session with a Registered Dietitian where they can smell, touch, and taste fresh spring herbs and learn about their health benefits. They’ll even receive recipe cards for use at home if they feel adventurous!
FirstHealth’s Lung Bus, a mobile CT unit, will be on-site offering free lung cancer screenings. Staffed with professionals who can guide you through your CT scan results and next steps, it’s a great opportunity for anyone who fits the following criteria:
• Being between 50 and 80 years of age
• Being a current smoker or having quit smoking in the past 15 years
• Having a 20-pack-year smoking history
FirstHealth describes these lung cancer screenings as “potentially lifesaving” and requires pre-registration to ensure a spot at the screening.
Visitors can expect a full schedule from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with what Cooper describes as “something for everyone.”
Schedule:
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lung Bus Screenings (Registration is required)
9 a.m. - Noon
Concurrent Activities
- Herb sachets, kids' activities, crafting and painting stations
- Health screenings, including blood pressure and blood glucose
9:30 a.m. – Adult yoga
10 a.m. – Guided Nature Walk
10:15 a.m. – Kids' fitness activity
11 a.m.– Guided Nature Walk
11:15 a.m. – Tai Chi
Noon – 1:30 p.m.: Interactive Session with FirstHealth Registered Dietitian – Utilizing Fresh Herbs in Spring Dishes
1:30 – Yoga session
1:30 – Guided Nature Walks
The event is free with the purchase of general admission to the garden. Cooper shared this message with the community: “We invite community members to attend and experience health and wellness-building activities in a beautiful outdoor environment.”
Find more information at capefearbg.org or contact Ellen Cooper at ECooper@firsthealth.org. The event will be held on May 17 at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, located at 536 N. Eastern Blvd.