ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Heart2Heart Foundation and its collaborative partners will present Healthy Heroes, Healthy Community on Wednesday, October 28, from 7:00–11:00 a.m. at the YMCA of Upper Palmetto – Charlotte Avenue Branch in Rock Hill.
Held on National First Responders Day, the free event was created to address the health and wellness needs of frontline heroes while bringing screenings, trusted health care providers, and valuable community resources together for everyone.
The event is open to the public. YMCA membership and advance registration are not required.
North Central Family Medicine will provide free biometric screenings and heart-health assessments for adults age 18 and older. Available screenings will include:
- Cholesterol
• Blood glucose and A1C
• Blood pressure
• Body fat and BMI
Fasting is required for the most accurate cholesterol and glucose results. Screenings will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligible first responders, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, 911 dispatchers, educators/faculty and healthcare professionals aged 30 and older with at least two risk factors for heart disease will also have an opportunity to apply onsite for the Frontline Heroes Advanced Cardiovascular Screening Program.
Qualified participants may receive advanced laboratory testing, a coronary artery calcium scan, a home sleep study and a heart-health evaluation through Carolina Cardiology Associates—all provided at no cost through available scholarship funding. Eligibility is determined through a preliminary application and clinical review.
“Heart disease can develop quietly, without the warning signs people expect,” said Sheila Caldwell, heart attack survivor, and founder of The Heart2Heart Foundation. “Early detection gives people an opportunity to understand their risks and take action before a serious cardiac event occurs. This event makes that first step easier for our frontline heroes and for families throughout our community.”
Health care providers, nonprofit organizations, and community agencies will also offer information and connections addressing mental and emotional wellness, nutrition, physical activity, diabetes and chronic-disease prevention, cancer awareness, sleep health, healthy aging, caregiver support and access to local services.
Walmart Pharmacy of Dave Lyle Boulevard will be onsite offering flu, COVID, pneumonia, and tetanus vaccines. Participants interested in a vaccine should bring their insurance card so coverage can be verified.
Healthy Heroes, Healthy Community is presented through a collaboration among The Heart2Heart Foundation, Carolina Cardiology Associates, YMCA of Upper Palmetto, North Central Family Medicine and NAMI Piedmont Tri-County. This outreach of the Frontline Heroes Wellness Program is made possible by the Singhi Charitable Foundation.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
Healthy Heroes, Healthy Community
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
7:00–11:00 a.m.
YMCA of Upper Palmetto, Rock Hill
Free and open to the community
No preregistration or YMCA membership required
Fasting is required for cholesterol and glucose screenings
Additional information is available at:
https://www.theheart2heartfoundation.org/healthy-heroes-healthy-community
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Patrick Byrne lives in Tega Cay with his wife and two daughters. After 25 years working for a Big 4 bank, he retired to pursue his passion for writing. Additional articles and content can be found on his blog (reverian1776.blogspot.com) and freethepeople.org.
Patrick can be reach via email at [email protected]
