Cancer Center’s 10th Annual Fest For Life Achieves Milestones

Ten years and more than 5,000 screened

 

(Baton Rouge, La.) Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center’s Fest for Life event recently reached two major milestones: 10 years of providing prevention and early detection services and more than 5,000 people screened in the history of the event. The Cancer Center reports that hundreds were tested for cancer and other health conditions at Fest for Life, April 22 at Bon Carre’ Business Center.

“Fest for Life’s longevity and continued growth speaks to the increasing need for these services in the community,” said Johnnay Benjamin, the Cancer Center’s early detection and education director. “Whether people are insured or uninsured, research shows many individuals aren’t accessing early detection services, causing more late stage diagnoses. And finding cancer early is the best offense when it comes to fighting the disease. Fest for Life continues to fulfill this important community need, and the support and participation we receive underscores its significance to so many people.”

Following is an overview of screening statistics for Fest for Life 2017:

  • 569 cancer screenings
  • 256 people participated in other health screenings such as blood pressure, glucose and heart rhythm tests
  • 26 participants had abnormal findings detected from screenings; they are currently being supported by a patient navigator for additional testing and follow-up care

Special thanks to Fest for Life’s presenting sponsor, Karnival Krewe de Louisiane, and the other generous supporters: Allied Waste Services, Amerigroup, Associated Grocers, Avita Pharmacy, Capitol City Produce, Greater Baton Rouge State Fair, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Cupcake Junkie, CVS, Entergy, Fit Body Bootcamp, Flowers Baking Company, Hi Nabor, Humana, Leroy’s Lipsmack’n Lemonade, 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, Roy’s Ice and Screen Printed Images.

The Cancer Center offers prevention and early detection services year round. For information on upcoming screenings, call (225) 215-1234 or visit marybirdlake.org.

 

 

 

About Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center
As a regional destination for cancer care, Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center offers the most advance technology and services provided by a dedicated team of nationally-recognized oncology experts. The Cancer Center provides best-practice, comprehensive care at every stage of the cancer journey, including disease site-specific multidisciplinary care teams, a robust clinical research program, extensive supportive care services and is the only facility in the Gulf South with the revolutionary Leksell Gamma Knife®Icon™. As a nonprofit organization, donor generosity is essential to sustaining the mission of improving survivorship and lessening the burden of cancer for so many throughout Southeast Louisiana and beyond. For more information on the Cancer Center, and how you can become involved, please visit marybirdlake.org.