April 2023 Edition

Welcome to the April issue of The Wellness Corner - the e-newsletter for our community of advocates and enthusiasts - from Big Bend Cares and Care Point Health & Wellness Center.

This issue will show how you can get involved with Artopia 2023 as well as our new cover art; announce how Care Point is supporting health professions at the university level; discuss an important aspect of health this month; recognize National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and National Transgender HIV Testing Day; highlight National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; highlight March's Volunteer of the Month; and remind you of other ways to get involved.

Every day, Big Bend Cares and Care Point continue to provide essential assistance and quality health care to those we serve in the Tallahassee and Big Bend area (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties). Our services include free HIV and STD testing, primary health care, dental care, lab work, sexual health education, courtesy transportation services, home-delivered meals, co-pay assistance for medications, and case management services.

These services wouldn't be possible without your generous donations, support, and contributions. To you reading this newsletter- thank you for helping us provide health care and much more to those in need - we appreciate you!

Thank you for reading!

Shameria Young

Board President

Big Bend Cares

Care Point Health & Wellness Center

Do you have art that needs a new home?

Redecorating?

Spring Cleaning?

Estate Sale?

Artopia, Tallahassee's largest charity art auction, is now accepting art donations of all mediums through June 14th for our 25th Anniversary on June 24th!

Receive a tax benefit and know that you are helping those in need with each piece of donated art, up to 3 per donor.

All proceeds from Artopia remain in the Big Bend Area and provide prescriptions, food, vaccines, and other medical care to those we serve – at no cost to them!

Questions? Contact Serene Smallwood, Artopia Event Coordinator, at ssmallwood@bigbendcares.org or by calling (850) 656-2437 ext. 224.

Donate Art

Let's offer some congratulations to the winning selection for Artopia 2023 Cover Artist Melissa Davis for her piece "Spring Embrace", which will be available for you to bid on at the event!

We'd also like to give a huge Thank You to Artopia's Presenting Sponsors:

Public Health Professions Conference

Care Point is proud to sponsor the inaugural Public Health Professions Conference! This free event for FSU students will discuss the wide array of careers within public health, representing this year's theme: ‘A Multidisciplinary Field’. We're excited to unite, inform, and provide resources to students from health and related fields. Click the button below to register:

Student Registration

Care Point Health Update:

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

From the WHO: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer type worldwide; in 2020, almost 2 million cases were diagnosed. It is the second most common cause of cancer death, leading to almost 1 million deaths per year. This is despite the fact that effective screening techniques exist that could reduce the number of deaths from this disease.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is observed in March to highlight the importance of screening for colorectal cancer, as well as to promote healthy lifestyle habits that can decrease a person’s risk of developing cancer of the colon, rectum, or anus – the three distinct cancer types referred to collectively as colorectal cancer.

Intentional weight loss, physical activity, and diets rich in fish, fruits, and vegetables can decrease a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer. Schedule your checkup with a Care Point physician today to increase the chance of detecting colorectal cancer when it is at an earlier, and potentially more manageable and treatable, stage.

Make Your Appointment

National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and National Transgender HIV Testing Day

April 10 is National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This awareness day was launched to engage those under age 25 on the topic of HIV and AIDS. According to the CDC, about 21% of new U.S. HIV Diagnoses in 2019 were among 13-to-24-year-olds.

April 18 is National Transgender HIV Testing Day. HIV and AIDS disproportionately affect transgender people. This awareness day recognizes the importance of routine testing and a continued focus on HIV prevention and treatment among people who are transgender and nonbinary.

Volunteer of the Month for February

We want to take this opportunity to recognize the immense contribution of time and work from February Volunteer of the Month, Brett Klein! His warm personality and willingness to always be present are worthy of a huge round of applause. Thank you, Brett!

Givers Every Month (GEM) Club

Last year, over 3,730 no cost food bags were given to our clients in Tallahassee and the Big Bend facing food insecurity because of our GEM Club members.

And GEM Club members make it possible for us to provide FREE comprehensive health care to our uninsured patients, with no sliding fee scale.

What is a GEM Club member?

It’s you and me - neighbors helping neighbors. GEM (Givers Every Month) Club members donate monthly and 100% of their gifts go towards food and health care for our neighbors in need. Want to become a GEM Club member and help us serve others? Click the button below:

Give Monthly

Take a Tour of Care Point Today!

Ever wonder what happens beyond the closed doors of Care Point?

Sign up for a guided tour today and witness a behind-the-scenes view of “the 27,000 square feet of awesomeness!” including the 10 patient exam rooms, lab, x-ray facility, and dental wing.

For details and to reserve a space on the next tour, please email Takila Brooks here.

We hope you enjoyed the April 2023 issue of The Wellness Corner. If you have questions or want more information about any of the topics covered, please email Serene Smallwood here or call (850) 656-2437 extension 224. Thank you.

(850) 656-2437

(850) 354-8765

Big Bend Cares, Inc. / Care Point Health & Wellness Center is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), federal tax-exempt organization. All donations are deemed tax-deductible.

FEIN: 59-2816580