ARTICLE: Bentley Plans Free Skin Cancer Screenings In Pickens, Marion Co.

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa dermatologist and former Alabama governor Dr. Robert Bentley will be in Carrolton Saturday offering free skin cancer screenings on behalf of his new non-profit.

Great State 2019, Inc. — co-founded by Bentley — announced its non-profit status on Friday, with the goal of bringing certain health care services to underserved and impoverished areas free of charge under the Great State Alabama initiative.

“A number of us have been involved with the nonprofit for a couple of years and we’re just now getting everything started,” Bentley said in a phone interview with Patch on Friday. “I think it’s really important for the rural areas of the state, where they don’t have any doctors or someone who can treat them for specialty issues like we could, and for us to go to various areas of the state and really help some people out. We really want to go where we will benefit them.”

The first stop for Great State Alabama will be Carrollton Baptist Church in Pickens County, which is located at 30 Baptist St, Carrollton, AL 35447. Click here to make an appointment.

Two events are currently on the official schedule for the nonprofit and, for those interested, two 10-minute slots are now open for registration for a free skin cancer screening and a free dermatology clinic appointment.

The nonprofit is led by Executive Director Daniel Sparkman, a communications and public administration professional who served as press secretary to two Alabama governors and also in local television with WVUA 23 News in Tuscaloosa.

“It’s an honor to be able to serve the people of Alabama in this new way,” Sparkman said. “All of us involved are excited about the work we have done so far, as well as the road ahead and what it will mean to so many people in our state. We have hit the ground running and look forward to expanding our capacity in the months to come. It’s clear that when we all put our minds together for good, the possibilities are endless.”

Another free screening event Bentley said he is excited for will be held on April 23 at the Hackleburg Senior Center, located at 125 Ray Road in Marion County. Click here to make an appointment.

“Hackleburg had an EF-5 tornado 10 years ago on the 27th that totally destroyed the town and we worked so hard with locals and were able to get Wrangler back and over 250 jobs, helped them build a new school and grocery store and repair so much of the town,” Bentley said. “It’s just a special place for us because it was damaged so much and those people needed it so badly and we were able to help them, so this is another way we can help them.”

For more on Great State Alabama or for a look at its schedule, click here.