CANCER CENTER HOSTS THIRD ANNUAL FREE ASCENSION PARISH COMMUNITY HEALTH EVENT

Gonzales Area Foundation funds third year of free cancer screenings, food and fun for the entire family

  (Gonzales, La.) Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Gonzales, in conjunction with the Gonzales Area Foundation, is providing free, convenient access to a host of cancer screenings at its third annual Live Well Ascension event. Live Well Ascension will be Saturday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Jambalaya Park in Gonzales. Other health screenings, food and entertainment will also be available at no cost. Cancer screenings will include breast, colorectal, oral, prostate, skin and blood pressure and glucose checks. “Nationally, we are seeing a lack of access to healthcare, especially cancer prevention, education and early detection services in local communities due to time constraints or other commitments, and unfortunately, this can result in cancers going undetected,” said Johnnay Benjamin, director of early detection and education for the Cancer Center. “Events like Live Well Ascension provide us the opportunity to offer education and early detection on the weekend for the local community in a fun and accessible environment.” “Every person knows someone else who has been touched by cancer, especially in a close-knit community like Gonzales,” said DeEtte DeArmond, a founding member of the Gonzales Area Foundation. “We are excited to once again provide potentially life-saving services to our community members. And this wouldn’t be possible without the generous Ascension Parish community.” The Cancer Center has provided nearly 400 cancer screenings with multiple cancers being diagnosed since the event began in 2017. In addition to the health aspects of the event, Live Well Ascension will consist of activities for the whole family at no cost, including food, entertainment, children’s activities, door prizes and giveaways – including a bike, courtesy of our generous sponsors. 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 (225) 215-1234.  All other screenings are open to the public and do not require an appointment. For additional information, please visit marybird.org/livewellasc. 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.