Oct. 23, 2026
Covenant Health is expanding its Paint the Mountains Pink initiative to Knoxville after partnering with two high school students on a capstone project to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer.
Launched in Sevier County more than a decade ago, Paint the Mountains Pink emphasizes the importance of mammography imaging and early detection, provides screening mammograms for people who cannot afford them and supports cancer care at Covenant Health LeConte. The initiative is being expanded to Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville to ensure that costs are not a barrier to lifesaving screenings, partially due to the inspiration of two high school students who dedicated their senior project to the cause.
The mission of Paint the Mountains Pink resonates personally for Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK) seniors Lauren Captain and Lilly Creel, whose mothers have each battled breast cancer, one of them twice. The students chose to focus their capstone project on breast cancer awareness and support.
“I was in elementary school when my mom was diagnosed, so I didn’t fully understand what was happening,” Creel said. “I just wanted to be with her when she was at the hospital for chemotherapy or surgery. I want to help others who are experiencing similar feelings and support those who are going through treatment.”
The pair organized a Sadie Hawkins dance at Neyland Stadium to be held on Oct. 24 to raise money for Paint the Mountains Pink. They are selling $30 tickets to fellow CAK students and seeking sponsorships and donations, with all proceeds benefiting the initiative. Both seniors said they have worked harder on this project than anything else in their lives.
“Breast cancer takes a toll on the whole family, and I feel like a lot of people don’t realize that unless they are close to someone who has gone through it,” Captain said.
“We have been eager to expand Paint the Mountains Pink for many years,” said Chip Bryant, vice president and chief philanthropy officer at Covenant Health. “Working with Lilly and Lauren on their project has really been inspiring, and we decided now is the time to expand the program and access to potentially lifesaving screenings.”
With the campaign for donations now underway, the Covenant Health Foundation is working to expand access to lifesaving breast cancer screenings and extend the impact of Paint the Mountains Pink. Through this initiative, women who are unable to afford mammograms will soon be able to receive care at Parkwest Medical Center and other Covenant Health Breast Centers.
The American Cancer Society estimates one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and mammograms alone find 85-90 percent of breast cancers.
Bryant says the main barriers to annual screenings are inadequate insurance or income or not fully understanding the importance of early detection.
“We hope others will be inspired by Lauren and Lilly, as we have been, to raise awareness, donate and receive recommended screenings regularly,” Bryant said.
Free mammograms are available to women in Knox and Sevier counties age 35 or older who have not had a screening mammogram in the past 12 months and lack health insurance or the financial means to pay.
Learn more about Covenant Health’s Paint the Mountains Pink and how to help at covenanthealth.com/pink.
Click here to donate through Captain and Creel’s capstone project.
About Covenant Health
Covenant Health is a Tennessee-based healthcare enterprise committed to providing the right care at the right time and place. As a not-for-profit health system, we are dedicated to being the region’s premier healthcare network through service, community and innovation. We provide patient-centered care that inspires clinical and service excellence and strive to be the first and best choice for our patients, employees, physicians, employers, volunteers and communities. Covenant Health is the area’s largest employer and has more than 14,000 compassionate caregivers, expert clinicians and dedicated employees and volunteers. Learn more at CovenantHealth.com.
