Even on a brisk fall day, NCI at Frederick employees came out to enjoy a walk during their lunch hour at the latest Occupational Health Services (OHS) Walk for Health event. It was the third such event that OHS has sponsored in 2016.
Sarah Hooper, manager, OHS, said the event is an effort “to get people who [aren’t] usually physically active to walk.” OHS wants to encourage those who need more physical health assistance and show them that exercise can be simple.
The previous walk, held during the month of July, was red, white, and blue–themed. This time, the walk recognized Breast Cancer Awareness month and featured a women’s health theme. Employees were encouraged to dress in pink, and those who did had the opportunity to win prizes. Six individuals won the grand prize, a Body Balance Fitness Kit that included a balance ball and pump as well as a workout DVD.
A total of 32 people took part in the walk, which started in front of building 549 and continued for 1.3 miles around the campus. Individuals who completed the walk and stopped at all three water stations were eligible to win other prizes, as well, including women’s health information, key chains, pens, hand sanitizer, and stress balls.
Howard Young, Ph.D., senior investigator, Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, adopted the Walk for Health program from NIH’s annual Take a Hike Day—though he advocates for the event to be held quarterly.
