Cary Spotlight | Issue #688

Caring Community Foundation, COVID-19, Flu, and Other Viruses Spreading in the Triangle, The Case for Balance Training,


🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 🎙️ Cary Spotlight Connect: Caring Community Foundation
• 💪 Wellness Tip: The Case for Balance Training in Your 40s, 50s, and Beyond
• ⚠️ Health Alert: COVID-19, Flu, and Other Viruses Spreading in the Triangle
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• ❤️ Communities need strong connections: Show Your Support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.

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Question: Which river is the longest in Africa?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

CARY SPOTLIGHT: HEALTH & WELLNESS EDITION

These articles are for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.

Caring Community Foundation

🎙️ Cary Spotlight Connect – Episode Title:
"Community Support for Cancer Patients in Cary”

🎧 Host: Dr. Chris Coetzer
🎤 Guest: Bradford Brady, Executive Director of Caring Community Foundation

Summary

In this special episode, Dr. Chris Coetzer sits down with Bradford Brady, Executive Director of the Caring Community Foundation, to discuss 25 years of impactful service. Founded in 1999 after one Cary family’s personal cancer journey, the foundation has grown from a backyard barbecue fundraiser to supporting more than 5,000 cancer patients across North Carolina.

Bradford shares how the foundation provides critical financial relief—covering rent, utilities, groceries, and gas—so patients can focus on healing instead of hardship. With nearly $3 million in assistance distributed, the foundation’s grassroots model continues to be powered by community generosity, grants, and local partnerships.

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What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • How the Caring Community Foundation began with a backyard fundraiser

  • The direct ways the foundation supports cancer patients in crisis

  • Why trust and transparency are vital in nonprofit work

  • The role of Cary residents and local organizations in sustaining the mission

  • Details of the upcoming 25th anniversary celebration

  • How patients are referred and supported through hospital social workers

Memorable Quotes

  • “We help them solve a short-term financial problem so they can continue with their cancer treatment.” — Bradford Brady

  • “It all started with a backyard barbecue and a bucket that raised $724.” — Bradford Brady

  • “We’re very proud to have the highest transparency rating from Candid.” — Bradford Brady

📣 Call to Action:

Visit the Caring Community Foundation’s website to learn more, read patient stories, and explore ways to give back. Buy tickets for the 25th Silver Anniversary celebration, sign up to volunteer, or make a donation that directly supports cancer patients in your community. Website: www.caringcommunityfoundation.org

Resource Links

Just curious…

Bradford Brady shared how community generosity has fueled 25 years of patient support. We’d love your input.

What would you like to learn more about from this conversation with Caring Community Foundation?

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The Case for Balance Training in Your 40s, 50s, and Beyond

Falls are the most common source of injury for adults over 40, and by age 65, one in three women experiences a fall each year. These incidents carry serious consequences, including a doubled risk of premature death from fall-related injuries.

Balance, however, is not fixed and can be improved with consistent practice. Small changes, such as single-leg stands during routine activities, provide effective training. Gentle movement practices like yoga and tai chi further support coordination and stability, while core-strengthening exercises build a foundation for better balance.

A simple one-leg balance test with eyes closed can serve as a personal check-in, although it should not be relied on as a predictor of fall risk. Combining balance training with strength exercises provides the best protection for long-term mobility and injury prevention.

Regular balance practice not only reduces the likelihood of falls but also enhances daily confidence, steadiness, and physical resilience.

Content sponsored by Dr. Estelle Tsalik - Your Trusted Wellness Consultant.
Dr. Estelle Tsalik, a highly skilled wellness consultant and the founder of Living Well with Estelle, is here to empower you on your journey to optimal health. She is committed to simplifying the process and guiding you towards simple, sustainable, and sanity-saving solutions. Start your journey by taking her Living Well Blueprint Quiz today.

COVID-19, Flu, and Other Viruses Spreading in the Triangle

Created in 2003, this historic image depicts Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Clinic Chief Nurse, Lee Ann Jean-Louis, extracting a dose of Influenza Virus Vaccine, Fluzone® from a 5 ml. vial. In this particular view, you see a close view of her hands, holding the vaccine vial with her left hand, and using a syringe, extracting the vaccine dose, with her right.

COVID-19 cases are rising in Cary and the surrounding Triangle area, with over 300 positives at WakeMed since early September. Flu cases stay low, but other respiratory viruses are spreading widely.

The current COVID strain causes milder illness and fewer hospitalizations. However, many people wrongly think they're not contagious if they test negative for COVID or flu. Doctors warn that many viruses spread even without testing positive.

UNC Medical Center saw 91 respiratory virus cases last week. Symptoms often overlap between infections, and early treatment matters most for high-risk people.

As colder weather approaches, doctors urge residents to stay home when sick, get flu shots, and take precautions while case numbers remain manageable. Read Full Article

Were You Aware That Multiple Respiratory Viruses Are Circulating Right Now (Not Just COVID-19 and Flu)?

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Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.

What’s faster than word of mouth? Cary Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

❤️ Communities need strong connections.

Your support helps us shine a light on Cary’s wellness leaders, wellness tips, and health alerts that keep our town thriving. Join readers who’ve already donated.

🎟️ Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information. Here are a few ideas for the week, so plan ahead:

• Today: Tai Chi: Downtown Cary Park 6PM-7PM
• Today: Humor Heals Workshop with Kristen Wynns 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Thursday: Teen Dungeons & Dragons in the Park 5PM-9PM
• Thursday: Town Council Meeting (Regular) 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Friday: BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival Workshops 10AM-1:45PM
• Friday: Cary Night Market 5PM-9PM

But wait! There’s more. To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead: See Full 2-Week Calendar

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
The Nile River is the longest river in Africa and one of the longest in the world, stretching approximately 6,650 kilometers (4,130 miles). It flows northward through 11 countries, including Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt, before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile has been a vital source of life for civilizations for thousands of years, providing water for agriculture, transportation, and daily living in one of the driest regions on Earth. Its two main tributaries are the White Nile and the Blue Nile.