The 17th West End Wellness Walk, presented by the Wellness, Wholeness, Holiness nonprofit launched by Betty Marlin, owner of Primary Health-Care of Charlotte, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on March 21 in the Historic West End of Charlotte. The proceeds from this annual fundraiser will be used to complete their nonprofit Diabetic Heart Kitchen and Teen Wellness Nook renovation. 

Walkers donate $10 for the first mile, $20 for the second and $30 for the third and last mile. Tour guides will provide a historical overview of the route. Before and after the walk, volunteers will be available to measure blood pressure, height, weight and body mass index of participants. 

Marlin launched the kitchen, that is located within Primary Health-Care of Charlotte—a center dedicated to affordable health care for body, mind and soul—after observing over time (beginning with taking free blood pressure readings at a Salisbury Food Lion in 1967), a need for healthy food education to decrease diabetes, hypertension, heart attacks and strokes. The evolution began when she planted the first community garden in Charlotte in 1988, then launched low-cost food boxes consisting of frozen meats, vegetables and fruits in 1991. Last year, she began referring clients to The Bulb (a nonprofit, mobile farmers market bringing fresh, nutritious produce to underserved communities in and around Charlotte) for raw fresh fruits, vegetables and greens. 

A missing component she seeks to fill is a hands-on kitchen dedicated to educating the community on the types of fresh foods to select for optimal health plus instruction on food preparation, serving and storage.

According to research presented at the North Carolina Nursing Association in September 2025, heart disease is the number-one killer of women, and diabetes is the leading cause of heart disease and strokes. Diabetes causes neuropathy (nerve damage) that can occur in the eyes, ears, heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, liver, hands, feet and other body parts. Diabetes can be caused by hereditary factors, obesity and medication side effects. Approximately 50,000 people are annually diagnosed with diabetes in North Carolina. 

The solution is to reduce the effects of diabetes with early detection and treatment. When the kitchen opens, client’s vital signs will be tested regularly and referrals made as appropriate. Detecting plaque buildup, aneurysms, irregular heart rate and neuropathy early can help prevent and treat complications naturally before they become life threatening. 

“We will develop a holistic wellness plan through group mentoring, family counseling and education, hands-on cooking demonstrations from different cultural presenters, group and family discussions on responsible life choices, empowerment and accountability for making and supporting heart healthy lifestyles,” says Marlin, RN, BSN, MSN, CNS, SANE, Parent/Child Clinical Nurse Specialist with 60 years of nursing practice.

She also hosts a weekly Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Access TV show on TV21 on Fridays from 7:30 to 8 p.m. and a radio show on WDRB media Tuesdays at noon.

Location: 508 Beatties Ford Rd. To register, call 704-347-1172 or in person at the same location, preferably by March 18. Those that can’t participate can also donate in person or by mailing a check to Wellness, Wholeness, Holiness in care of Primary Health-Care of Charlotte at 508 Beatties Ford Rd., Charlotte, NC 28216. 

Primary Health-Care of Charlotte, P.A. - 508 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC

Opened in 1987 by founder, owner and CEO, Nurse Marlin, Primary Health-Care of Charlotte, P.A. provides holistic health care for the unserved, underserved and uninsured. - Physicals - F... Read More »