Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington Hosts Second Annual Free Community Health Event

Ben Blanchard Memorial Foundation to fund free cancer screenings, food and fun for the entire family

  (Covington, La.) Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington, in conjunction with the Ben Blanchard Memorial Foundation, is providing free, convenient access to a host of cancer screenings at its second annual Live Well Northshore event. Live Well Northshore will be Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Covington Trailhead on North New Hampshire Street. Other health screenings, a blood drive, food and entertainment will also be available at no cost. Cancer screenings will include breast, colorectal, oral, prostate and skin, along with blood pressure and glucose checks. “With nearly 300 Northshore residents participating in last year’s inaugural Live Well Northshore, the community showed they want to take proactive measures to protect their health,” said Johnnay Benjamin, director of early detection and education for the Cancer Center. “As this event expands its offerings this year, it will provide even more key resources for the community. We thank the generosity the Ben Blanchard Memorial Foundation for its continued generosity and concern for the health and welfare of the community.” Since 2010, the Cancer Center has provided more than 7,000 cancer screenings to the Northshore area and diagnosed 82 cancers. In March of 2018, the Ben Blanchard Memorial Foundation donated $100 thousand to the Cancer Center, designating a portion to fund a new education and an early detection event for Northshore residents. “We honor Ben by ensuring Northshore-area residents continue to receive high quality cancer care,” said Chris Blanchard of the Ben Blanchard Memorial Foundation. “He would be proud that an event like Live Well Northshore is saving lives by promoting cancer awareness and early detection for his community.” In addition to the health aspects of the event, Live Well Northshore includes activities for the whole family. Food, entertainment, children’s activities, door prizes and giveaways – including a kids’ and an adult bike – are all included at no cost. All screenings are available to those who have not been screened for cancer in the past 12 months. Appointments are required for breast cancer screenings only. To make an appointment for a breast cancer screening at the event, please call (985) 276-6810. All other screenings are open to the public and do not require an appointment. For additional information, please visit marybird.org/livewellns. Mary Bird Perkins is a key partner within St. Tammany Cancer Center in Covington. About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a regional cancer care organization that has been fighting cancer for almost 50 years. The cancer care organization provides care at nine centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma, Gonzales, Zachary and Natchez, Mississippi, and its service area encompasses southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi regions. For more information, please visit www.marybird.org.