The second annual Step Up 4 Health and Wellness Expo will take place on Saturday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Methodist University’s campus.
An expansion of Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s long-standing Ribbon Walk, the expo, presented by Cumulus Media, was introduced last year and held at Festival Park.
“This year’s move to Methodist University’s campus is an exciting opportunity to reach more people in the community and have more patients benefit from the event,” said Kristen Carpenter, Cape Fear Valley Health’s Development Coordinator for Community Engagement.
Continuing in the tradition of the Ribbon Walk, registrants can sign up to participate in either a one mile race or a 4K (around 2.5 miles), which will send them on a course through Methodist University’s beautifully landscaped, 600-acre campus. The fundraiser, which brought in more than $70,000 last year, offers support to various services directly impacting the lives of patients in the community.
Opening ceremonies for the walk will kick off at 9:30 a.m., followed by a survivor’s lap. All survivors are welcome and encouraged to join. Both the walk and the expo will officially begin at 10 a.m.
The Health Expo, located at the university’s newly-renovated Duggins Soccer Stadium, is free and open to the public.
The family-friendly community event promises to have a little bit of everything. Attendees are in for a fun and informative afternoon with around 60 vendors and booths from various community organizations and Cape Fear Valley Health service lines. During the expo, participants will have an opportunity to learn hands-on CPR, get wellness checks, and snag a goodie bag or two. The hope is that people will leave just a bit healthier and more informed than they came.
With a Healthplex membership raffle, kid’s area, music, food trucks, and some pulse-pumping Zumba — the expo has all the makings of a fun Saturday out with the family.
“It’s a great opportunity for the community to come out and learn more about the different services we offer, get their wellness checked, and learn more about other organizations in the community as well,” Carpenter commented.
The registration fee to either walk or run is $30, and all participants will receive a T-shirt. Participants can register as individuals or as teams representing various organizations, local businesses or in remembrance of a loved one.
Registrants can stick to tradition and apply their registration fee to Friends of the Cancer Center or to support the following: Children’s Services, the Community Alternatives Program, Cumberland County Medication Access Program, or Heart Care. The fee can be split amongst all of these service lines as well.
There is no cost or registration to attend the Wellness Expo.
To register for the walk, visit www.cfvfoundation.org/stepup4health.
Methodist University is located at 5400 Ramsey Sreet.