The Latest Cancer News
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2010 Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open
20th Anniversary Scores Big for Local Fight Against Cancer
Marking 20 years of making a difference in the lives of local cancer patients, the 2010 Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open exemplified the community’s continued support in the fight against cancer. Net proceeds of more than $160,000 will directly support thousands of people throughout Mary Bird Perkins’ 18-parish service area to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer through expert treatment, compassionate care, early detection, research and education.
The Taste of the Tournament Par-Tee and Auction, underwritten by Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and presented by the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, kicked off this year’s fundraising activities on Wednesday, June 2. Mary Bird Perkins would like to thank the 2010 Taste committee, auction donors, our wonderful sponsors, restaurants and caterers that donated food. We would also like to thank our generous bidders for making the Taste of the Tournament a success.The Amedysis Pro-Am benefiting Mary Bird Perkins took place on Tuesday, June 8, at the Santa Maria Golf Course in the format of a four person shamble – a team composed of three amateur golfers and a pro from the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series. It was a day-long event for our sponsors filled with great food, drinks, golf and sun!
On Friday, June 11, Adams Golf Pro Tour Series golfers shared their talents with more than 70 aspiring young golfers, ages 6-16, at the Coca-Cola Junior Clinic. The youngsters received personal instruction, professional tips and pointers, and a free sleeve of golf balls. This year, Mary Bird Perkins also partnered with BREC and The First Tee, an organization that promotes character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.
The only professional golf tournament in Baton Rouge began with 107 players on the roster playing a new venue – BREC’s Santa Maria Golf Course on Wednesday, June 9. The field included defending champion Jeff Burns; past champion Dawie Van Der Walt; Baton Rouge native and former LSU golfer Phil Schmitt; and Rick Woodson, teaching professional and cancer survivor, to name a few. By the end of the 72-hole professional event on Saturday, June 12, Missouri native Brice Garnett was 19-under for the tournament, taking home winnings of $18,000 as champion of the 2010 Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open. This marked Garnett’s first win on the Adams tour.
Mary Bird Perkins thanks the 2010 Golf Tournament committee, Santa Maria, BREC and Adams Golf Pro Tour Series for putting on five days of phenomenal fellowship and golf, all in the effort to raise funds for the fight against cancer. To see highlights of this year’s activities, visit the Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open page on Facebook here. To see a recap video from these events, click here. Sponsorship opportunities are available now for next year's tournament. For more information, please contact Danielle Mack at (225) 215-1248 or by e-mail at dmack@marybird.com.
Brice Garnett took home winnings of $18,000 as champion of the 2010 Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open.
Special thanks to Merrill Lynch for three consecutive years as Title Sponsor of the Mary Bird Perkins OpenFor 20 years, the Mary Bird Perkins golf tournament has been a staple in the Baton Rouge community. Since its inception, more than $1.3 million has been raised, and the proceeds have been used to fight cancer in southeast Louisiana. For the last three years, Merrill Lynch has led this effort as Title Sponsor of our tournament. We are so grateful for the dedication and support of each team member in the Baton Rouge branch.
Merrill Lynch differentiates itself from other financial services companies by placing emphasis on teamwork within their Baton Rouge office through the community organizations they support. Their teams of wealth management advisors bring a deeper and broader level of expertise to clients beyond just stocks and bonds in addition to an elevated and more specialized level of service. Their dedication to supporting MBP and to fighting cancer in our community is no different!
"The local employees of Merrill Lynch couldn't be more proud to partner with Mary Bird Perkins in the fight against cancer,” said Eric J. Waechter, CIMA Wealth Management Advisor. “While we support the community in many ways, this partnership is driven largely by our people who contribute the majority of our donation. The Merrill Lynch culture is one of optimism and it's that same optimism that will one day lead us to finding a cure for cancer."
Mary Bird Perkins would not have the ability to treat every patient that enters our doors without the dedication and generosity of Merrill Lynch. We can’t say thank you enough for their continued partnership and support!
Raffle Winner Announced
Congratulations to Lakeshia Robertson, winner of the 2010 Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open Raffle. Robertson’s name was drawn by Eric Waechter of Merrill Lynch during the Amedisys Pro-Am Tournament, held at Santa Maria Golf Course on Tuesday, June 8. Only 300 tickets were sold. Robertson was the winner of a $10,000 cash prize. -
New Board of Directors Members Elected
At the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Board of Directors spring meeting, new volunteer leadership was elected to help carry out the mission of the Center.
New Board members elected for three-year terms include Tom Adamek, Stonehenge Capital Company, LLC.; Art Favre, Performance Contractors, Inc.; and Eli Jones, dean, Louisiana State University's E.J. Ourso College of Business. Click here to read the full story. -
Houma Patients Get Special Treat
(Houma) -- Every patient at Mary Bird Perkins at Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) will soon receive an inspirational goody bag to help them through their treatment journey. This generous gift is made possible through the fifth annual Ladies Night Out Gala, held at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center in Houma and sponsored by Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC. Funds from the event, held on March 12 and prior years, are being used to stuff the bags with things like a water bottle, notepad, pens, lip balm, cards and a book called “Learning to Dance in the Rain: The Power of Gratitude” by Mac Anderson and BJ Gallagher.
Lisa Positerry, guest relations coordinator at TGMC, said the original goal of Ladies Night Out was to raise money for things like wigs, scarves, specialty products and items to fill the hospital’s cancer boutique. But since its inception four years ago, the scope and mission of the event has grown. Attendance this year totaled nearly 750 people.
“We've been so successful,” Positerry said. “We really wanted to do something that would touch every cancer patient.”
Each patient that Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC treats will now receive a goody bag. The bag itself is a burgundy tote with the Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC logo on it – perfect for patients bringing medications, books and other supplies to and from home during treatment.
"We hope that the things in this bag will help them with the journey through their treatment process,” Positerry said.
Some of the funds will also be used to help patients with travel and medication costs. Those funds will be used to help pay for medical equipment costs as well.
Positerry said breast cancer patients will receive a different bag than other patients. These bags are made possible through a grant from the Bayou Region Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Louisiana Breast Cancer Task Force. She said the contents of the bags are similar, but considerably more pink.
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Prestigious National Speaking Role for Baton Rouge Oncologist
(Baton Rouge) -- Medical Director for the Cancer Program of Our Lady of the Lake and Mary Bird Perkins, Mitchell Berger, MD recently presented during the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting. Dr. Berger spoke on disparities in cancer care and the potential impact the National Cancer Institute's Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) could have on the future of cancer care. Goals for the NCCCP include further delivering state-of-the-art cancer care on a community level and reducing disparities in cancer care. The Cancer Program of Our Lady of the Lake and Mary Bird Perkins has been a NCI Community Cancer Centers Program - Awarded Site since 2007.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology is the world's leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 28,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. Click here to read the full story.
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Rich Mauti Cancer Fund Donates $5K for Mandeville Screening
The CARE Network of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center recently received $5,000 from the Rich Mauti Cancer Fund to help finance a cancer screening in St. Tammany Parish.
“Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is doing an incredible service by reaching out to the local community providing free cancer screenings and evaluations,” said Mauti. “They extend our mission to educate, screen and bring awareness to early detection of cancer. We are thrilled to help fund a small part of their efforts.”
As a thank you, board members of the Rich Mauti Cancer Fund were invited to attend a breast cancer screening in Mandeville hosted by Mary Bird Perkins and Woman’s Hospital. Additional guests included employees of the Stone Creek Country Club and Spa as the free screening was made possible by the Rich Mauti Cancer Fund’s tennis tournament at Stone Creek.
(from left): Rich Mauti Cancer Fund Committee Members, Vicki Guarisco and Nancy Mauti; Mary Bird Perkins CARE Network Coordinator, Sarah Bennett; Rich Mauti; Mary Bird Perkins Development Officer, Jenni O’Neil; Stone Creek employees Shelly Minkin and Katie Santangelo. -
New Program Benefits Mary Bird Perkins
EATEL's Public Relations Coordinator Meghann Hebert recently presented Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Senior Development Officer Ethan Bush with a check for $500. The donation was made by EATEL on behalf of EATEL customer Ashley Moody, the May winner of EATEL’s Community Rewards Program. Moody chose Mary Bird Perkins as the recipient of the donation. For more information on the program, please visit www.eatel.com/communityrewards.
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Tribute Gifts
Tribute gifts are a wonderful way to commemorate or honor a special person or occasion in your life while supporting the fight against cancer.
• CELEBRATE birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, births, graduations
• HONOR family members and friends
• REMEMBER special people
• OFFER condolences
• RECOGNIZE achievements and life milestones
When you make a tribute gift, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center will both acknowledge your contribution and notify the honoree or other designated individual(s), such as family members (when provided).
To make a tribute gift by mail, send your check payable to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, 4950 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. If you would like notification of the gift sent to someone, please be sure to include the reason behind your contribution (as in, "in honor of the 65th birthday of John Miller"), plus the name(s) and address(es) of those to receive the notification.Your generous contribution will honor someone special while helping Mary Bird Perkins continue to provide the highest quality radiation therapy and compassionate care in Southeast Louisiana.
For more information on making a tax-deductible tribute gift, contact Danielle Mack at (225) 215-1248 or dmack@marybird.com.
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Community Events Make a Difference in the Fight Against Cancer
“Runway Mission to Remission” Fashion Show
The inaugural “Runway Mission to Remission” Fashion Show, hosted by Bass Pro Shops, was an amazing success. The show featured cancer survivors and family members of cancer survivors as models. Local celebrities, including Denham Springs Mayor Jimmy Durbin, WAFB Anchors Keitha Nelson and Jeff Morrow, and members of the local police and sheriff departments also participated as models.Along with the exciting fashion show, the event featured information on cancer screenings, caricatures, a raffle, silent auction and delicious concessions provided by Bass Pro Shops and local businesses.
Proceeds from the event totaled nearly $5,000. These funds will help Mary Bird Perkins continue its mission to increase survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer in our community.
(From left): Event organizers Samantha Stevenson, Tamara Laurie and Lisa Brady with Danielle Mack, Development Officer – Events, Mary Bird Perkins.
Save the Date – VOLLEYBALL FOR A CURE!
Join these schools as they partner together to raise funds to support breast cancer research and awareness during the “Paint the Gym Pink” Volleyball Match.
Tuesday, September 21
St. Joseph’s Academy vs. St. Michael the Archangel High School
At St. Joseph’s Academy
3015 Broussard Street
Baton Rouge, LAWednesday, October 6
Dutchtown High School vs. St. Amant High School
At Dutchtown High School
13165 Highway 73
Geismar, LA
For more information on how your school or sports team can join the fight against cancer by hosting a “Sports for a Cure” event, contact Danielle Mack at (225) 215-1248 or dmack@marybird.com.
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Northshore News
There’s still time to get involved with “Strike Out Cancer”
This volunteer-driven event is a weekend-long USSSA baseball and softball tournament to be held on July 24 and 25 in Mandeville and Hammond. The event committee and volunteers are currently seeking sponsors at all levels to participate in the event and help make it a success. www.northshorelinks.com, a Northshore community and events portal, has signed on as an official media sponsor for the 2nd Annual Strike Out Cancer Tournament. Special thanks to our Grand Slam sponsors First Guaranty Bank, La Cap Federal Credit Union and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. We are also grateful to our Home Run Sponsors Capital One Bank, Resource Bank, Specialty LTCH Hospital, Villars Physical Therapy and Zaunbrecher Treadaway!
All proceeds will go to Mary Bird Perkins in its fight against cancer. For more information about the event or sponsorships, please contact Jenni O’Neil at (985) 215-1150 or joneil@marybird.com.
Mandeville’s Corks-n-Canvas Hosts Painting for a Cause
Join us on Sunday, July 25, from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.! Corks-n-Canvas has generously designated this evening to raise money and bring awareness to Mary Bird Perkins’ fight against cancer. Register online at www.corksncanvas.com. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Mary Bird Perkins.
Crawfishman Triathlon a huge success
The 27th Annual Crawfishman Triathlon, held the first weekend in May, had its most successful year yet! With more than 420 participating athletes, 60 volunteers and numbers sponsors, Crawfishman raised $4,000 to support Mary Bird Perkins — $1000 more than last year! Following the event, Crawfishman event organizers were invited to a breast cancer screening in Covington to see first-hand how their gift is helping those in the community.
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Importance of Local Family Foundations
The quality of life within a community is dependent on many factors, not the least of which is the vision of both political and philanthropic leaders who live there. Community and family foundations greatly enhance the health of the communities they serve by making strategic investments in programs that contribute to the stability, well being and development of its citizens.
Mary Bird Perkins has been fortunate in the past year to garner the financial support of the Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation and the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation, two family foundations dedicated to improving the education, cultural arts, health and wellness of families living in the greater Baton Rouge area. As state cuts to Medicaid and projected cuts to Medicare threaten the revenues that have supported our free outreach and screening programs, our corporate, family and community foundation partners play a growing role in the delivery of world-class cancer care to families living in our 18-parish service area.
While financial support from the Pennington and Wilson family foundations for programs delivered through the CARE Network is very important to meeting the need for free cancer screenings, contributions from local family foundations help in another ways as well. When Mary Bird Perkins applies to national, corporate or family foundations, it is important to demonstrate that local funders choose to support our programs. In that way, we are able to leverage our local foundation partnerships to grow even more resources to serve cancer patients.
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TeamMBP
Join TeamMBP to help Mary Bird Perkins raise funds and further our mission. This great new fundraising tool lets YOU set up your own personal website and obtain support from friends, family and colleagues.
Get started TODAY with your TeamMBP site!
Visit: http://fightcancer.marybird.org/2010_CampaignFor more information on customizing your own personal page for an event or tribute, contact Danielle Mack at (225) 215-1248 or fightcancer@marybird.com.
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New From the Foundation ...
New Higher Charitable Gift Annuity Rates
Beginning July 1, 2010, the suggested rates from the American Council of Gift Annuities have increased for most donors. Now is the time to take advantage of the higher lifetime payments. Click here for more information.
Boost Retirement Income With a Deferred Gift Annuity
If you want to support our organization and plan for retirement, consider a plan that lets you do both—a deferred charitable gift annuity. Read on to discover how this simple plan can also help your retirement needs. Click here for more information.
Five Moves That Can Improve Your Estate Plan
You might think that once you have made a will, your estate plans are settled and all is in good order. Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. Here are five moves that can take your estate plan from good to great. Click here for more information.
3 Steps to Preparing Effective Inheritance Plans
To make the transition of your belongings easier on you and your family, a well-thought-out estate plan is essential. These basic steps can help you get started. Click here for more information.