Faith Based Health Initiatives

Wear Red Sunday

February is American Heart Month. Go Red Sunday raises awareness that heart disease is the #1 health threat of women. One Sunday in February churches are invited to participate in Go Red Sunday by encouraging members to wear red to increase awareness of heart disease in women. The participating churches are provided with a Have Faith in Heart Toolkit from the American Heart Association, red dress pins, posters, and educational information for their congregation.

Power Sunday

May is Stroke Awareness Month. African Americans have higher rates of stroke than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. The Harnett County Department of Public Health has partnered with The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for Power to End Stroke Sunday (Power Sunday). Power Sunday is observed in remembrance of people who have survived or died of stroke and to increase awareness of stroke and its warning signs. Members are encouraged to wear the color purple to show support for stroke awareness. Participating churches will receive a Power Sunday toolkit which will include church bulletin inserts, clergy speech, and educational materials for your congregation.

Pink Sunday

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. PINK SUNDAY is a grassroots effort partnering the Susan G. Komen NC Triangle Affiliate with churches to educate the members of their respective congregations on breast health and cancer. Churches have the opportunity to celebrate survivors that day in their congregation as well as honor those who have lost their battle. Participating churches will receive breast health educational materials to distribute to their congregation.

Participating churches have included McLean Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, Smith Grove, Burning Bush Non Denominational Church, Lillington Star Reformed Free Will Baptist Church, Healing Center Ministry’s, Inc., Dunn Chapel, Mt. Zion Pentecostal, James Matthew Memorial Church, Rising Son Church of Christ, Mt. Olive United Methodist Church, Paradise AME Zion, Johnsonville AME Zion, Mt Pisgah, and Dunn Chapel.

To find out how you can participate in Faith Based Health Initiatives, contact Belinda Rayner, Public Health Educator at Harnett County Department of Public Health at 910-814-6196.