St. Tammany Health System launched its annual observance of Lung Cancer Awareness Month on Nov. 5 with a kickoff event that will be followed by a month’s worth of educational outreach, community gatherings, and mobile screening opportunities.
Organized under the nonprofit St. Tammany Health Foundation’s St. Tammany United umbrella of observances – and formally titled United in Lung Health: The Power of Pearl – the campaign will culminate Nov. 21 with the fourth annual Power of Pearl lung cancer walk at the Covington Trailhead, a free event held in memory of those claimed by lung cancer as well as in tribute to survivors and current patients.
At Thursday’s event, organizers publicly debuted “Ms. Pearl,” a wrapped Madisonville Fire Department vehicle that community members will be invited to sign throughout the month in exchange for donations to benefit Northshore cancer care.
Care providers at the Covington cancer center that St. Tammany Health System operates with Ochsner Health were also invited to mark the occasion by placing white flags in front of the facility in recognition of the journey of their patients.
The health system’s Breathe Well ConneCTion, a mobile unit designed to bring potentially life-saving lung screenings directly into the community, will also play a role. Since its launch in July 2025, some 1,955 people have been screened aboard the vehicle. More importantly, 40 cancers have been detected, with 75% of those being in the earlier Stage 1.