COVINGTON, La. – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s popular Live Well community event returns to the Northshore later this month. Live Well Northshore, an early detection screening and education opportunity, will be held on Saturday, October 22 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Covington Trailhead (419 N. New Hampshire St.). This free community event is designed to provide residents from southeast Louisiana an opportunity to take advantage of four different types of cancer screenings, including breast, prostate, colorectal and skin cancer. Participants can also access blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checks.
Aside from these important cancer screenings and health services, there will be food, music and fun activities for the entire family.
“We are thrilled about bringing our annual Live Well event back to Covington,” said Renea Duffin, vice president, cancer support and outreach, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Last year, we were able to conduct more than 150 screenings, and we’re hoping to surpass that number this year. It is critical for people to take advantage of the no-cost screenings offered conveniently through the use of our mobile medical units.”
This event is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Ben Blanchard Memorial Foundation. The Foundation has been a crucial partner for many years, and remains committed to supporting Mary Bird Perkins, where Blanchard received a portion of his treatments.
“The Ben Blanchard Memorial Foundation has played a vital role in bringing awareness and early detection resources to the Northshore,” said Erica Kelt, director of development, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington. “This partnership means more residents will be afforded the opportunity to take charge of their health through preventative screenings.”
“Since its inception, the Foundation has been focused on giving back to the community, as Ben always did,” said Chris Blanchard. “What better way to show that commitment than by helping to provide life-saving early detection resources. We are honored to support Mary Bird Perkins and Live Well Northshore in Ben’s memory.”
Appointments are required for all screenings. If an abnormality is found, a nurse navigator will assist screening participants with next steps, also at no cost. To make an appointment, please call (985) 287-5775.
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 nine centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma, Gonzales, Slidell, and Natchez, Mississippi, and its service area encompasses southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi regions. Mary Bird Perkins has a strategic affiliation 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 www.marybird.org.