Donaldsonville, La. – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center will host a free community event in Donaldsonville on Friday, May 20 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Waguespack Center, 1201 Maginnis Street. Donaldsonville residents will have an opportunity to get screened for four different types of cancer, including: breast, colorectal, prostate and skin cancer. In addition to screenings, event participants will enjoy free food, live music and important cancer‐related information from Mary Bird Perkins team members.
Appointments are required for screenings. Please call (225) 425‐8034 to schedule an appointment. If an abnormality is found, a nurse navigator will assist screening participants with next steps.
This free community event, part of the Cancer Center’s Prevention on the Go program, is made possible by generous support from donors and members of the Gonzales Area Foundation. For years, the Foundation has supported cancer patients across Ascension Parish through a variety of fundraising events and initiatives. Since 2016, the Foundation’s signature event, the Gonzales Gala, has raised over $700,000 to support local patients receiving care at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Gonzales.
“We are proud to support Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and are excited to bring this cancer screening opportunity to Donaldsonville,” said DeEtte DeArmond, a founder of the Gonzales Area Foundation. “Every single one of us plays a role in improving the health of Ascension Parish. This starts by emphasizing the importance of preventive care and screenings. We encourage residents to come out and take advantage of this free event – it could save your life.”
Research has shown that, due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, many people across our country have skipped routine cancer screenings and other regularly scheduled preventive care services. For Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, community events serve as important ways to conduct outreach, raise awareness, and provide general health education and resources.
“Early detection saves lives – that’s a fact,” said Heather Johnson, director of early detection and education, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “When you find cancer in its earliest stage, you drastically improve your chances of successful treatment. We believe empowering residents with the tools and information they need to take charge of their health will play an important role in helping our community triumph over cancer.”
For more information about this event and other cancer screening opportunities in your community, please visit marybird.org/events.
About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a regional cancer care organization that has been fighting cancer for more than 50 years. The cancer care organization provides care at eight centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma, Gonzales, and Natchez, Mississippi, and its service area encompasses southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi regions. Mary Bird Perkins has a strategic partnership
with OneOncology and the largest radiation and medical oncology groups from across the area including exclusive partnerships with Southeastern Louisiana Radiation Oncology Group, which provides radiation therapy throughout Mary Bird Perkins’ service areas, Northshore Oncology Associates, serving St. Tammany and Washington Parishes, specifically the communities of Covington and Slidell and Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates, which services the Greater Baton Rouge area. For more information, please visit marybird.org