COVINGTON – In a resounding blow against stubborn population health metrics in South Louisiana, the Rich Mauti Cancer Fund DBA Mauti Cancer Fund on Tuesday presented a $500,000 donation to St. Tammany Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of St. Tammany Health System, for the purchase of a leading-edge mobile lung screening unit for use across the Northshore.
When it comes online in 2025, the Mauti-funded unit will be the first such vehicle dedicated to lung screenings in the region.
“I consider this a transformational gift to our foundation and our broader community,” foundation Executive Director Nicole Suhre said in accepting the donation. “This commitment from Rich Mauti and the Mauti Cancer Fund puts us quite literally on the road to better outcomes for those with undiagnosed lung cancer. This type of gift showcases the power of philanthropy and enables our organization to create a program that hasn’t existed before in this community.”
The new screening vehicle will be outfitted with an artificial-intelligence-powered CT unit for low-dose lung cancer screening. The AI-powered unit will also offer a multi-organ approach that additionally addresses coronary calcium in the heart, aorta measurements and bone density in the vertebra.
It will join the health system’s Be Well Bus, which since 2021 has been bringing breast cancer screenings, skin cancer screenings and other such health assessments directly into the community since 2021.
“It is simple: Screenings save lives,” St. Tammany Health System President and CEO Joan Coffman said. “In just the past three years alone, we have had 14 early breast cancer catches on the Be Well Bus. The expansion of our mobile screening program stands to be just as impactful, if not more so. On behalf of St. Tammany Health System and the Northshore community, I want to personally thank Rich Mauti and the Mauti Cancer Fund for what is truly a lifesaving gift to the community.”
Lung cancer is a cause near and dear to the heart of Rich Mauti, a former professional football player who founded the non-profit Mauti Cancer Fund in 1981 after his father died of lung cancer. Mauti, who lives in Mandeville, has been an active figure in the local fight against cancer ever since.
Through the Mauti Cancer Fund, he has supported St. Tammany Health System’s cancer programs for several years, with contributions in support of breast screenings as well as transportation assistance for patients in active treatment at St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center.
“The Mauti Cancer Fund is proud to partner with St. Tammany Health System through St. Tammany Health Foundation to provide our healthcare community with the first mobile lung screening van in Louisiana,” Mauti said. “We could not find a better means to screen, educate and service our local community. It is our mission to leverage our funds to reach as many people as possible with this leading-edge initiative. With the help of St. Tammany Health System’s medical expertise, we will accomplish that goal.”
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, with lung cancer accounting for 26% of cancer deaths among men and 25% among women. If undetected until the disease advances to Stage 4, the survival rate for lung cancer patients is only 10%. If detected early, however, the survival rate rockets to 68% to 92%, studies have shown.
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About St. Tammany Health System
The heartbeat of its community, St. Tammany Health System cares for patients and families with excellence, compassion and teamwork. It is nationally recognized for quality, safety and service excellence by CareChex, Leapfrog, Healthgrades, Hospital Compare, Women’s Choice and US News & World Report. The health system is home to 281-bed St. Tammany Parish Hospital, three diagnostic centers and 12 medical clinics throughout western St. Tammany Parish. Self-supporting, not-for-profit STHS is AA- rated by Fitch and receives no tax funding. More at StTammany.health.
St. Tammany Health Foundation
St. Tammany Health Foundation is a 501(c) nonprofit organization. We support and enhance the work of St. Tammany Health System as it leads with innovation and cares for its patients and their families with excellence, compassion and teamwork. Through generous donors, we help our neighbors and the community heal and live healthy, fulfilling lives. More at www.sthfoundation.org.
Rich Mauti Cancer Fund DBA Mauti Cancer Fund
The Mauti Cancer Fund exists to provide education, prevention and early detection of cancer to individuals and their families. More at www.MautiCancerFund.org.