Mary Bird Perkins’ Live Well events bring free cancer screenings into the heart of the community. This spring, Live Well programs were held in Mississippi and Louisiana throughout April and May, bringing cancer education and screenings to hundreds of community members.
Live Well events are held in a big, colorful street fair-style. Through the generosity of donors, free screenings are offered for breast, colorectal, prostate and skin cancer, along with biometric screenings and health education resources. Individuals who receive an abnormal finding are assigned a navigator who will assist in coordinating further testing and any other assistance needed.
This season’s screenings started with Live Well Mississippi on April 12 in Natchez, Miss., before continuing with Live Well Delta on April 26 in Monroe, and Live Well Baton Rouge, sponsored by Karnival Krewe de Louisiane, on May 17. The program will take a short break before resuming in October.
Live Well Mississippi (April 12)
- 114 unique participants
- 191 total cancer screenings
- 33% uninsured
Live Well Delta (April 26)
- 85 unique participants
- 155 total cancer screenings
- 24% uninsured
Live Well Baton Rouge (May 17)
- 114 unique participants
- 203 total cancer screenings
- 36% uninsured
Mary Bird Perkins’ regional director of cancer support and outreach, Sharneitha Bradford, thanked sponsors, staff and the participants. She said the screenings brought potentially lifesaving cancer care directly into the heart of local communities.
“At Mary Bird Perkins we’re dedicated to providing access to much-needed cancer screenings for everyone who needs them,” she said.Â
“We encourage everyone, regardless of their background or insurance status, to make their health a priority. Thanks to the support of our sponsors and the wider community, we’re looking forward to providing these events for years to come.”
Among the attendees was Kenneth Brandon, who has become a regular visit at the Baton Rouge event. He said the event made it easy for him to keep tabs on his own health.
“I think the event is wonderful and I really appreciate what you all do” he said.
“People need to educate themselves: early detection is key. Don’t be afraid. This event can save your life.”
Live Well events take place every year in six regions across Louisiana and southwest Mississippi, including Baton Rouge, Covington, Gonzales, Houma, Monroe and Natchez.
Beginning in October, the next set of Live Well events will be held throughout the fall of 2025. They are:
- Live Well Ascension (Gonzales) – Saturday, October 4
- Live Well Northshore (Covington) – Saturday, October 18
- Live Well Bayou (Houma) – Saturday, November 1
For more information on upcoming screening events, or to schedule an appointment for a screening, visit marybird.org/get-screened.