Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation  invites the community to participate in the 2nd Annual Step Up 4 Health & Wellness Expo on Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Methodist University. This fun, family-friendly community event gives supporters the opportunity to raise funds for worthy causes by participating in a 4K or 1-mile walk.

Celebrating its second year, the Step Up 4 Health & Wellness Expo is an expansion of Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s  long-running Ribbon Walk benefiting the Friends of the Cancer Center. With the addition of the Health & Wellness Expo, attendees have the chance to explore a free health-focused festival that includes information on services provided by Cape Fear Valley Health and other community organizations, as well as wellness checks, CPR training, a kids area, food trucks, zumba demonstrations, music, and more. 

Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation is thrilled to hold the 2023 Step Up 4 Health event on the campus of Methodist University (5400 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville), an institution that is a strong educational partner and supporter of the medical center. 

Step Up 4 Health will feature a survivor walk to honor and recognize the survival stories of anyone who has faced a critical illness. Participants also have the opportunity to decorate their walker bib to honor or memorialize someone who motivates them to support health causes.

Participants not only receive a Step Up 4 Health T-shirt with their registration fee; they also support a great cause. Participants can choose to direct their registration fee to support one of five patient care areas: home health care services through the Community Alternatives Program (CAP), the Cumberland County Medication Access Program (CCMAP), Children's Services, Heart Care, or Friends of the Cancer Center. Participants can also select an “All-In” donation that divides their contribution among the five care areas.

The Step Up 4 Health event will begin at 9:00 am on April 15 with registration and T-shirt pick up. Registrants can also pick up their T-shirt early on Friday, April 14, from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm, at the CFVH Foundation office in the Medical Arts Building at 101 Robeson St., Suite 106. The Step Up 4 Health opening ceremonies commence at 9:30 am and the walk will step off at 10:00 am. Participants are encouraged to register for the event  in advance at www.givesignup.org/cfvstepup. Early bird registration ends Wednesday, March 15; however, participants can continue to register until the morning of the event.

Participants can register as an individual, a team, or even as a “virtual walk” participant if they are unable to attend in person. Many people enjoy the camaraderie of creating a team with their colleagues or friends and coming to the event decked out in colorful attire reflecting their team spirit.

Last year, Step Up 4 Health & Wellness Expo raised over $70,000 for patient health programs and welcomed more than 700 participants, volunteers and vendors. Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation looks forward to growing this success in 2023 as we bring together community members around the shared value of supporting health care needs.

Please register on the Step Up 4 Health website and come out to Methodist University on April 15 to explore health resources and celebrate supporting a great cause with your community. Sponsorship opportunities are still available; reach out to the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation to learn more.