Before 2020, the popular Ribbon Walk & Run for Cancer was a staple in Cape Fear Valley Health’s fundraising efforts. But when COVID-19 swept through the nation and state, CFVH was forced to run the event virtually. In 2021, the event was cancelled altogether. 

This year, CFVH has a new idea in mind that “will build on the walk’s longtime success to unfurl a larger banner event that will support patients across the Cape Fear Valley Health system,” a recent press release said. 

Now, Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation is set to launch a brand new event on April 9 called The Step Up 4 Health and Wellness Expo. Running from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., the event will be held at Festival Park. 

“For many years, the Ribbon Walk for Cancer has been a fantastic fundraising and awareness event that has profoundly benefitted patients seeking care at Cape Fear Valley Cancer Centers,” said Vice President of the Foundation Sabrina Brooks. “We think we can use our rich history of providing well-executed fundraising events like this and create a new event that will benefit patients in even more of our service lines.” 

The Wellness Expo part of the event will be free and open to the public – no registration required. Once the event kicks off, the Wellness Expo begins. CFVH describes the event as a “health-related educational festival,” as it will offer information on a variety of Cape Fear Valley Health services at booths, as well as including food trucks, music and sponsor tables. The event will also offer free wellness checks, goodies and opportunities to learn about hands-only CPR. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our lives and businesses in more ways than one, but something that has remained constant is the exceptional care that Cape Fear Valley Health has continued to provide to our community,” said Brooks. “That’s why we want to showcase more of the services that our great health system has to offer. We think the community will be just as excited as we are by this new name and vision for this fundraiser.” 

In addition, the Foundation did not do away with the Ribbon Walk concept altogether, but instead, expanded the event to welcome more participants. The event will offer a 4k and a 1-mile race through downtown Fayetteville. If participants in those two events want to continue their traditional support from the original Ribbon Walk, they can choose Friends of the Cancer Center as the beneficiary of their registration fee. Other options for runners and walkers to choose from to support are Children’s Services, the Community Alternatives Program, Cumberland County Medication Access Program, Heart Care, or Pediatric Endocrinology. 

“Each of these services directly impact patients’ lives,” the release said.

Participants in the 4k and one mile route can join as teams or individuals. CFVH encourages local business employees, along with running clubs, churches, community groups, sorority and fraternity groups, and those wishing to honor a loved one, to sign up as teams. 

“This is going to be one of the most important fundraising events in our community since we have the opportunity to support several different patient-care areas at Cape Fear Valley Health,” Brooks said. “After two years of being unable to have an event like this in person, we’re back, and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever.