In recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, St. Tammany Hospital Foundation is rallying local organizations and businesses for its newly unveiled breast cancer awareness initiative, a community-wide, multi-faceted effort to raise awareness and money to fuel the local fight against breast cancer.
“From mammograms on the Be Well Bus to pink-wrapped cruisers in the Sheriff’s Department, we are all united together in a great big pink effort to make sure every woman across the Northshore knows that early detection of breast cancer could save their life,” said Jack Khashou, administrator of St. Tammany Cancer Center, a campus of Ochsner Medical Center. “We have this broad coalition of organizations all focused together on the goal of saving local lives.”
The campaign launches Friday (Oct. 1) with an event scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of the cancer center, at 900 Ochsner Blvd. in Covington.
In addition to offering mammogram opportunities aboard St. Tammany Health System’s new Be Well Bus, a 40-foot mobile health unit equipped with mammography and other health screening equipment, the event will include a food-truck roundup from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Attendees can also show their support by donating $5 to write their name on one of two St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office vehicles that will be wrapped in pink for the duration of the campaign; or by purchasing a breast cancer awareness T-shirt.
Proceeds from this campaign benefit education, screening and early detection initiatives of St. Tammany Health System and patient care at St. Tammany Cancer Center, a campus of Ochsner Medical Center, as well as the Mauti Cancer Fund.
“Friday’s event is really just the start of it,” said Anne Pablovich, community outreach coordinator at St. Tammany Health System. “All month long we’ll be all over the parish, making it as easy and convenient as ever for women to get their mammograms.”
Pablovich went on to point out the vital role played by early detection when fighting breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the five-year relative survival rate is 99%.
“That’s a big number,” Pablovich said, “and getting regular mammograms can make a big difference.”
See below for a listing of mammogram events on tap across the Northshore through October. You can also visit StTammany.health for weekly updates as additional events are added.
Those interested in making an appointment to get a mammogram at any of the foundation's breast cancer awareness events, or to schedule a visit by the Be Well Bus to their place of business, should contact Pablovich at apablovich@stph.org or (985) 898-5932.
Upcoming breast cancer awareness events
- Oct. 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: ULaunch event, St. Tammany Cancer Center, 900 Ochsner Blvd., Covington. Mammograms aboard the Be Well Bus. Additionally, the wrapped Sheriff’s Office vehicles will be on-site for those wishing to sign them. Food truck roundup from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Oct. 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Tropical Smoothie, 70360 Highway 21, Covington. Mammograms aboard the Be Well Bus as well as wrapped Sheriff’s vehicles for signing.
- Oct. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: St. Tammany Physicians Network - Folsom, 82525 Highway 25. Mammograms aboard the Be Well Bus.
- Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Chick-Fil-A, 3585 Highway 190, Mandeville. Mammograms aboard the Be Well Bus as well as wrapped Sheriff’s vehicles for signing.
- Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Ochsner Health Center - Franklinton, 2219 Main St. Mammograms aboard the Be Well Bus.
- Oct. 16, 8 a.m. to noon: Mandeville Farmer’s Market, 615 Lafitte St. Mammograms aboard the Be Well Bus as well as wrapped Sheriff’s vehicles for signing.
- Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Walgreen’s, 71041 Highway 21, Covington. Mammograms aboard the Be Well Bus as well as wrapped Sheriff’s vehicles for signing.
- Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Ochsner Health Center – Bogalusa, 2781 S. Columbia St. Mammograms aboard the Be Well Bus.
- Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: St. Tammany Physicians Network – Madisonville, 1520 Highway 22 West. Mammograms aboard the Be Well Bus.