BATON ROUGE, La. – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center will host Live Well Baton Rouge – a community health event featuring free cancer screenings, food, music and other health resources – on Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (2250 Main Street in Baton Rouge).
This popular annual event is part of the Cancer Center’s Prevention on the Go (POGO) program, which provides free early detection and education services across Louisiana and southwest Mississippi. Local residents are invited to take advantage of four different types of cancer screenings, including breast, prostate, colorectal and skin cancer. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose checks will also be available.
Live Well Baton Rouge will also feature various health vendors, food, music and fun activities for the entire family.
Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome for all screenings. Call (225) 425-8034 or visit marybird.org/livewell to schedule an appointment.
Karnival Krewe de Louisiane (KKdL) will again serve as the presenting sponsor for this year’s event. KKdL engages in fundraising throughout the year to support local cancer research, cancer education and underserved cancer patient care in the Baton Rouge area. Live Well Baton Rouge would not be possible without KKdL’s support. Since KKdL’s establishment in 1987, it has contributed more than $6 million to support Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer.
“We’re proud to return as presenting sponsor of Live Well Baton Rouge,” said Naomi Nelson, board president of Karnival Krewe de Louisiane. “Events like this make a real impact by offering life-saving screenings and essential health services in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. We invite the entire community to come out, get screened and take charge of their health.”
KKdL’s debutantes will also be providing an interactive children’s area at Live Well Baton Rouge this year.
Additional sponsors for Live Well Baton Rouge include Aetna, Baton Rouge Coca-Cola, Humana, Louisiana Lottery and Republic Finance.
Last year, 114 capital area residents received a total of 203 screenings. Nearly 40% of participants reported being uninsured.
“Our message is simple but powerful—early detection saves lives,” said Sharneitha Bradford, regional director of cancer support and outreach at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Because of KKdL and our incredible partners, Live Well Baton Rouge allows us to reach more individuals and make a greater impact every year.”
For more information about this event and other cancer screening opportunities in your community, please visit marybird.org/get-screened.
About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is Louisiana’s largest cancer care organization and has been leading the fight against cancer for more than 50 years. Founded in Baton Rouge in 1971 by a group of community leaders, the Cancer Center now serves every region of Louisiana and communities across southwest Mississippi. With the most expansive team of highly-trained oncologists leveraging innovative therapies and technologies, Mary Bird Perkins is offering the most personalized treatment options available in the Gulf South. The Cancer Center’s emphasis on community-based care allows patients to access these resources close to home. From early detection through our innovative Prevention on the Go screening and education program, to diagnosis, treatment and life after cancer, Mary Bird Perkins offers a wide array of individualized support services to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer. For more information, visit marybird.org.
