JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s because of you that the Buddy Bus is on the road. Your tireless work fundraising for years brought the dream of the First Coast’s mobile 3D mammography unit to reality in 2020. Now, the Friday before Mother’s Day, First Coast News On Your Side and Baptist MD Anderson is celebrating two years of the Buddy Bus on the road and 32-years of First Coast News Anchor Jeannie Blaylock’s Buddy Check reports with a pink out in our parking lot. 

“It is a dream realized,” said First Coast News President and General Manager Tim Thomas. “The Buddy Bus is the next step in early detection for many on the First Coast, and with First Coast News Jeanie Blaylock reminding us every 12th of the month, this partnership is worth celebrating.”

We invite you, decked from head to toe in pink, to join us for a live salute to the Buddy Bus starting at 5 p.m. Jeannie Blaylock will report live with Baptist Health experts, survivors, local dignitaries, cheer teams, dance teams, athletes and mascots. You’ll see the Buddy Bus up close and learn important information about annual mammograms and monthly self-exams.  We ask you arrive by 4:15 P.M., park across the street in Lot J and check-in at the First Coast News tent.

The pink out in our parking lot includes pictures with Scampi from the Jumbo Shrimp, a 12-foot inflatable from Whataburger with sweet treats, pink snow cones, music by DJ Wayne Knight and raffles. One lucky person will receive a spa experience at Sawgrass Marriott that includes a double occupancy one night stay. You must be 18+ to enter and present to win. It is valued at more than $700. 

First Coast News On Your Side and Baptist Health are proud partners of the Buddy Bus. To schedule a visit at your business, church, community event or neighborhood gathering register now at baptistjax.com/buddy.  The bus is not available for individual appointment bookings. The bus travels throughout Northeast Florida including Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties.