2015-2016 Mary Bird Perkins - Our Lady of the Lake Forward Report

N OV EMBER

M ARY

BI RD

P ERKI N S

—

2 0 1 6

O U R

|

V O L .

2

L A D Y

O F

T HE

|

I S S U E

L A K E

2

C A NC E R

C E NT E R

Dear Friends, Mounted near the dual swinging doors as you exit the chemotherapy infusion center is a large silver bell. The bell hangs, waiting to sound the celebratory ding, ding, ding marking the completion of chemotherapy treatment by the next brave cancer survivor.

As a team member, I pass the bell many times a day on my way to and from working with patients and facilitating mind-body medicine practices with them. While the chemotherapy drugs drip through an IV into a patient’s body, I offer to guide them and their accompanying friend or family member in some relaxation breathing techniques, a brief guided imagery or a few moments of focused attention and mindfulness meditation. My goal is to facilitate what scientific research now supports as a beneficial complement to conventional treatment—using mind-body techniques to help stimulate the immune system, reduce stress and increase positive outcomes of patients undergoing conventional care.

Passing by the shiny bell perched upon the wall, I often wonder what emotions it stirs in patients as they, too, see it upon entering and leaving the treatment area. Do they dream of the day when their final treatment earns them the privilege of celebrating boldly with the gonging of the bell? Perhaps its sound bolsters their determination and provides solace that indeed this journey can be completed: “It was done by another, I can do it, too!”

For me, as manager of survivorship services and integrative medicine, rather than marking the end, the happy clanging tells me it’s time to begin. It’s time to begin a compassionate, humbling, yet inspiring walk alongside cancer survivors toward living their best life possible after a cancer diagnosis. It’s the rallying jingle to relationships that facilitate positive interactions between mind and body and the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social and spiritual factors can directly affect health.

The survivorship bell, in reality is just a bell, but on the path of survivorship, it is a resounding reverberation of personal triumph and healing.

FRANCINNE LAWRENCE, PH.D., MRE, MSW, LCSW Manager, Survivorship Services and Integrated Medicine

IN THIS ISSUE

LANE FAMILY HONORS GERRY LANE PG.2

MARY

BI RD

PERK I NS

—

O U R

WHOSE MOMENT ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR?

KARNIVAL KREWE DE LOUISIANE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

PG.4

PG.6

L ADY

O F

T H E

L A K E

CA N CE R

CE N T E R

ART FAVRE,

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

founder and president of Performance Contractors

Advancing Innovative Treatment

“When you consider the impact innovation and technology has on cancer patients, it is inspiring to know that together we are advancing care in our community and our commitment will help save lives,” said Favre. Breakthrough devices such as the new Leksell Gamma Knife Icon are an example of how innovative technologies are enhancing care for patients across the Gulf South, including one of Favre’s employees at Performance Contractors.

“It’s interesting how things happen in life. I received a call from one of our employees telling me that he will be one of the first patients treated on the Gamma Knife Icon.

He shared that without the Gamma Knife Icon, his treatments may not have been possible.” Favre’s gift will also support the establishment of the Favre Family Award for Innovation, spurring innovation among Cancer Center team members to positively impact patient care and outcomes.

“

When you consider the impact innovation and technology has on cancer patients, it is inspiring to know that together we are advancing care in our community and our commitment will help save lives.

“

To advance and strengthen the progress in our community’s fight against cancer, Art Favre, founder and president of Performance Contractors and longtime Cancer Center donor and volunteer, has made a $1 million transformational gift. Favre’s investment is one of the first donations to the Take the Fight Forward major gift initiative and will support the discovery and development of revolutionary treatment.

ART FAVRE,

Take the Fight Forward Donor

The Leksell Gamma Knife Icon is the only system of its kind in the Gulf South that offers the most precise, noninvasive treatment for brain tumors and other central nervous system disorders. The Cancer Center is one of only a handful of American institutions to offer this revolutionary technology. The Cancer Center treated its first patient on the Gamma Knife in October.

FO R WA R D

R EP ORT

1

“

LANE FAMILY HONORS GERRY LANE Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center hosted a reception on September 22nd celebrating the Lane family’s major gift to the Take the Fight Forward initiative in honor of their late father and husband, Gerry Lane. The 14,000-square-foot Gerry Lane Infusion Center allows each patient to receive chemotherapy or infusion treatments in a relaxed, tranquil setting. It includes three private rooms and 52 semi-private bays, each with its own television, personal headphones and Wi-Fi to make the space more comfortable for patients.

“My dad’s spirit is here,” said Eric Lane, Cancer Center board member, donor and volunteer. “When he had his treatment here, it made it personal for us. The Cancer Center’s team members and staff were always there for us and supported us along his cancer journey.” Gerry Lane was a successful entrepreneur and distinguished philanthropic leader in the community.

While his respected work ethic is a testament to his professional legacy, the value of community service held an even higher priority for him.

“

MARY

BI RD

PERK I NS

—

O U R

L ADY

O F

T H E

L A K E

CA N CE R

ERIC LANE,

Cancer Center board member, donor and volunteer

Along with other deserving organizations, Gerry Lane Enterprises has generously supported Karnival Krewe de Louisiane, which has benefitted the Cancer Center for decades. Gerry Lane courageously battled cancer for more than 30 years and passed away from the disease in 2013, but not before making a profound impact on the city he called home and those fighting cancer.

2

My dad’s spirit is here. When he had his treatment here, it made it personal for us.

The Cancer Center’s team members and staff were always there for us and supported us along his cancer journey.

CE N T E R

LEAVE BEHIND A LIFE-SAVING LEGACY Now is the perfect time to begin estate planning or to review your current estate plan. Not just for the wealthy or retired, estate planning can help protect you, your family and your assets in a manner you desire. It is recommended by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils Education Foundation to revisit you estate plans annually.

GIVE TODAY, FROM YOUR IRA ANNE AND TOM MEEK

Help Patients Stay Close to Home through a Bequest Because of the Cancer Center’s longstanding tradition of providing advanced cancer care in our community, Anne and Tom Meek, board member and volunteer, made a bequest to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation to ensure that innovative care would continue for years to come.

“

Many of our friends, family and neighbors who have courageously battled this disease inspired us to give back. We want everyone in our community to have the ability to stay close to home with their family and receive the compassionate care and expert treatment the Cancer Center provides.

“

TOM MEEK,

Cancer Center board member and volunteer

Congress passed legislation that permanently allows individuals age 70.5 or older to make a charitable gift of up to $100,000 directly from an IRA. This giving option can help lower your taxable income before year end.

FROM APPRECIATED SECURITIES Make a gift in the form of publicly traded stocks, bonds or mutual funds. Gifts of securities can offer you the opportunity to support the fight against cancer and realize important benefits for yourself.

FO R WA R D

R EP ORT

3

WHOSE MOMENT ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR? Visit www.takethefightforward.com/moments to learn more about these patients’ journeys toward the Celebration Bell, and how your donations help us create more life-changing moments each and every day.

4

MARY

BI RD

PERK I NS

—

O U R

L ADY

O F

T H E

L A K E

CA N CE R

CE N T E R

THESE ARE THE MOMENTS WORTH FIGHTING FOR THESE ARE THE MOMENTS WORTH GIVING FOR As you exit the treatment area, there are large silver bells waiting to sound the celebratory chimes that mark the completion of active treatment and beginning of the next phase of a cancer survivor’s journey.

For our patients the bell is a beacon of hope; for their families; a symbol of triumph; and for our team of doctors, it’s a physical representation of the powerful ways in which emotional, social and spiritual factors impact health.

On the path to survivorship, the Celebration Bell is a resounding reverberation of hope, personal triumph and healing.

FO R WA R D

R EP ORT

5

2016 King & Queen

2015 King & Queen

KARNIVAL KREWE DE LOUISIANE For the past 29 years, Karnival Krewe de Louisiane has provided funds supporting research, education and care to thousands of cancer patients in the Greater Baton Rouge area – raising more than $2.9 million in support of Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center.

After merging with the Governor’s Mardi Gras Ball Association, they were able to transform their simple but boundless compassion for those fighting cancer into one of the strongest volunteer-driven, philanthropic organizations in the community. Join us this Mardi Gras season as we celebrate the 30th annual Karnival Krewe de Louisiane ball.

“30 YEARS & STILL HAVING A BALL” • FEBRUARY 2, 2017 • WWW.KARNIVALKREWE.COM 2016 Ball Debutantes

6

MARY

BI RD

PERK I NS

—

O U R

L ADY

O F

T H E

L A K E

CA N CE R

CE N T E R

CHANGING LIVES is not a slogan; it’s an action. Together with the Cancer Center, GMFS continues to take action and made a transformational impact by becoming our Corporate Partner. Through this collaboration, GMFS is committed to advancing local, comprehensive cancer care and making a difference in the lives of thousands. “With nearly 250 employees, we have witnessed our staff, family, friends and loved ones fight and even lose their battles with cancer,” said Tee Brown, GMFS president and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation board member. “We don’t want to sit idle and watch. We hope that our corporate partnership will prompt others to do the same. No gift is too small and together we can take the fight forward!”

A corporate partnership with the Cancer Center will complement your business by standing alongside one of the most well respected nonprofit organizations in our community. Your business will receive personalized marketing plans and recognition opportunities that meet your goals and objectives. Every dollar invested will fund programs and services that would neither exist nor have the ability to grow to their full, life-saving potential without the generosity of these partners and donors.

Reaching our goals for the Cancer Center is a shared endeavor. If your organization is interested in becoming a corporate partner, please contact Ethan Bush at ebush@marybird.com or 225-215-1229.

PERSONALIZED MARKETING PLANS

RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITIES

UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP IDEAS

“

We don’t want to sit idle and watch. We hope that our corporate partnership will prompt others to do the same. No gift is too small and together we can take the fight forward!

TEE BROWN,

GMFS president and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation board member

“

GMFS JOINS THE FIGHT

FO R WA R D

R EP ORT

7

OUR COMMUNITY Our Community is a family of donors who have demonstrated unwavering support for the Cancer Center throughout the years by investing in the future of cancer care today and for generations to come. Below is a listing of cumulative giving donors who have moved on the Cumulative Giving Wall in the Cancer Center or who are newly added to the wall. For a complete list of our donors, please visit www.takethefightforward.org/our-donors.

PATRONS OF HEALTH

GUARDIANS OF CARE

PARTNERS OF COMPASSION

Gifts of $500,000 and above • Department of Health and Hospitals

Gifts of $150,000 - $499,999 • Mr. Art E. Favre • The Parks Family Foundation • Louis D. and Jean Harvey Curet

Gifts of $50,000 - $149,999 • Lipsey’s, LLC • Milton J. Womack, Inc. • Laura Chopin Ross

A LEGACY THAT LIVES ON Honoring Louis Curet

Louis Curet, longtime Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center friend, volunteer, board member and donor passed away on June 9, 2016.

With a passion for engaging volunteers for major fundraising projects, as well as a commitment to the advancement of philanthropy in support of the Cancer Center, Mr. Curet was honored for his many efforts by the board of directors when the Louis D. Curet Volunteer Fundraiser Award was established and presented to him in 2009. His award is presented annually to an individual, organization or foundation that has launched a significant philanthropic effort in support of the Cancer Center.

Jeanne Curet James and her father Louis Curet

“

8

MARY

BI RD

PERK I NS

—

O U R

L ADY

O F

T H E

L A K E

“

“The loss of Mr. Curet will be felt in many ways, but his many contributions to Baton Rouge and the Cancer Center will be felt for generations to come,” said Todd Stevens, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center president and CEO. “We will truly miss him and know his impactful legacy lives on.”

His many contributions to Baton Rouge and the Cancer Center will be felt for generations to come.

TODD STEVENS,

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center president and CEO

CA N CE R

CE N T E R

STAFF DIRECTORY LAURIE ADAMS

Director of Development Annual Giving (225) 215-1248 lwadams@marybird.com

ETHAN BUSH

Vice President and Chief Development Officer (225) 215-1229 ebush@marybird.com

KAITLYN GUERIN

Director of Development Events and Community Partnerships (225) 215-1221 kguerin@marybird.com

AMANDA LAGRANGE

Director of Development Grants Program (225) 215-1158 alagrange@marybird.com

DEBBIE LANDRY

Development Coordinator (225) 215-1224 dlandry@marybird.com

TOGETHER WE CAN

Join us as we Geaux Give to raise funds in support of patients fighting cancer in our community.

PATRICIA LEMOINE

Whether you’re an individual, school, business or sports team, you can join the fight! From hosting events to raising money online, your support helps us provide crucial services during a patient’s journey through treatment – and our team is here to help!

Assistant Director of Development Marketing and Communications (225) 215-1340 plemoine@marybird.com

BECKY PORCHE

Development Coordinator (225) 215-1202 rporche@marybird.com

Once you have an idea, register your fundraiser online at www.takethefightforward.org/geauxgive and begin raising funds to support cancer patients in your community.

CARTER STONE

NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE

COMPANY GOLF TOURNAMENT

SCHOOL BAKE SALE

FUNDRAISING PARTY

Director of Development Major and Planned Gifts (225) 215-1298 cstone@marybird.com

FO R WA R D

R EP ORT

9

4950 ESSEN LANE BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70809

U P C O M I NG

2016

#GIVEBR

E V E NT S

2017

THE TASTE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29TH

Give Baton Rouge “#GiveBR” is an online giving event that encourages those who love Greater Baton Rouge to support the nonprofit organizations that uplift and strengthen our community. Mark your calendars for November 29th, and give to the Cancer Center by texting #marybird to 1-470-2354898. Learn more about how you can support the Cancer Center by liking us on Facebook!

L’Auberge Casino and Hotel Baton Rouge, LA Advance ticket sales will be available now through January 1st for $75. After January 1, ticket prices will increase. Visit marybird.org/taste to purchase your tickets today!

PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT TUESDAY, APRIL 25TH The Bluffs Golf Resort St. Francisville, LA