Residents from across the greater Fayetteville area are invited to take part in a morning focused on health, wellness and community support at the Step Up 4 Health and Wellness Expo scheduled for March 28 at Methodist University.
Hosted by the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation, opening ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.m. to noon at Duggins Soccer Stadium on the Methodist University campus. Organizers expect more than a thousand participants from the region to attend the annual gathering, which combines a community walk with a health expo and family-friendly activities.
The community walk will begin at 10 a.m. Participants can choose between a 4k walking route or a shorter one-mile route. A survivor lap recognizing individuals affected by cancer and other health challenges will also be included in the morning program.
In addition to the walk, the event will feature a variety of wellness activities designed to encourage healthy lifestyles and community engagement. Guests can participate in a Zumba fitness session, visit health and wellness vendors, enjoy music, giveaways and food from local vendors. Families attending the event will find activities for children in a dedicated kids’ area, and emergency medical services vehicles will be on display for visitors to explore.
The Step Up 4 Health and Wellness Expo serves as both a community health initiative and a fundraiser supporting several programs within the Cape Fear Valley Health system. Funds raised through participation and sponsorship will support patient care services in areas including the Friends of the Cancer Center, Children’s Services and Heart Care programs.
Additional programs benefiting from the event include the Community Alternatives Program, which provides services for individuals who need assistance to remain in their homes, and the Cumberland County Medication Access Program, which helps eligible residents obtain prescription medications. Proceeds will also support the Nursing Education Scholarship program and the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center, which plays a critical role in maintaining a stable blood supply for the region.
Organizers say the event highlights the importance of community involvement in supporting local health services while promoting physical activity and wellness.
Participants who register for the walk will receive an event T-shirt. Organizers are also offering discounted registration for groups. Individuals who sign up four or more participants through the multi-person pricing option can receive a $5 discount on each registration fee. Individual registration for the event is $35.
Employees of Cape Fear Valley Health have the option to register using payroll deduction. Staff members can enter their employee identification number during registration and use a designated payroll deduction code at checkout to complete the process.
Faculty, staff and students at Methodist University are also eligible for a discounted registration rate. Instructions for accessing the discount have been provided through the university’s weekly event highlights email throughout the month of March.
The event is open to the public and designed to encourage participation from individuals of all ages. In addition to the walk and wellness expo, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with community organizations and health providers that serve the region.
Community sponsorship plays an important role in supporting the event and the programs it benefits. Sponsors for the 2026 Step Up 4 Health and Wellness Expo include a range of regional businesses and organizations such as Cumulus Media, Castle Uniforms Incorporated, Alliance Health, Loyd Builders, MGA Homecare, Pure Barre, Systel Business Equipment, Orangetheory Fitness Fayetteville, Holmes Security Systems, Gill Security Systems and Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union. Fayetteville Public Works Commission and Methodist University are also among the partners supporting the event.
Additional sponsorship opportunities remain available for organizations interested in supporting community health initiatives through the event.
Registration for the Step Up 4 Health and Wellness Expo is currently open. Community members interested in participating can register online ahead of the March 28 event at Methodist University. For more information about sponsorship opportunities or event participation, visit the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation at https://bit.ly/4dhlGnv for details.

(Photo: The Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation and Methodist University have teamed up to bring the community a Step Up for Health Expo, March 28. Photo courtesy of Methodist University)