3 minute read
Impact & Giveback: Lympho-Maniac
Regardless of the age of who may be receiving the news or the kindness with which it is delivered, hearing the word “cancer” instills fear and feelings of uncertainty. It will seem as though time has stopped and that life will never be the same. It’s a life-changing, world-altering word; and while most people go into planning mode about the course of action to take, those courses don’t usually involve a party.
In Chad Landry’s experience, however, these are the very times to throw a party—especially when that party is one that brings awareness and does something as important as raising money that will help fund treatment. As a survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with 25 years since his diagnosis in his rearview mirror, Landry knew firsthand the emotional and physical challenges of going through diagnosis and treatment. Not to mention the financial toll that it takes. While he could have simply taken the victory of his successful battle with cancer and been thankful, he decided to use his own experience to do something of lasting importance. So Chad created a very unique organization that truly proves that everyday alive should be a party.
Officially founded in 2003, New Orleans Lympho-Maniac Cancer Fund, as Landry so appropriately named the organization, is a 501c3 non-profit that has, over the past seventeen years, donated more than $1.5 million to fighting cancer in the New Orleans area. “All net proceeds from our New Orleans Lympho-Maniac Cancer Fund goes to support local New Orleans Cancer projects, programs, and services, including caring for the financial needs of lower-income families who have been impacted by cancer,” says Landry. “Most of it is directed to financial assistance grants for lower-income families of cancer patients at East Jefferson General Hospital, LSU Health Sciences, or Ochsner Hospital. Cancer causes a financial hardship
With a financial goal of raising $300,000 in 2020, Landry hopes that donors are generous in their giving, recognizing the importance of every dollar. “Cancer research is extremely important, but we recognize that cancer takes a huge financial toll in addition to the emotional and physical trauma,” he explains. “We want our local cancer patients to know that we stand by them by giving them financial assistance.” Named the H. Ryan Aucoin Memorial Cancer Grants in honor of Ryan Aucoin, a friend and active supporter of Lympho-Maniacs who was lost to Lymphoma T-Cell in 2017, these $1000 grants are extremely important to the work of Lympho-Maniacs and impacting the lives of cancer patients throughout the New Orleans area. Central to raising those dollars is one very crucial—and one very unexpected—way of getting attention and inspiring the desire to give: LymphoManiac’s annual parties, which call on all attendees to get down, get funky, and get in the spirit of giving and living. “Our Annual Lympho-Maniac Party is a ‘Celebration of Life,’ where—for that one night—everyone who attends is a survivor. They’re living in the moment and enjoying time with good friends and family,” Landry says. “Our main goal for the event is giving people the experience of taking on the cancer survivor’s mindset for that evening—and hopefully after the party.”
Set to the theme of the 1970’s, the parties are a colorful scene of big hair, bold colors, and wild style—not to mention music that makes everyone want to bust a move. “I was born in the ’70s, but I grew up in ’80s and ’90s. That being said, I really love the music and fashion from ’70s, and that time period just works for our funky and hip Annual Lympho-Maniac Party,” Landry contends. It’s a fun time, to be sure, this party scene where everyone is united in the desire to celebrate, let loose, and—above all—live. “My own cancer diagnosis reinforced the idea or saying that ‘Life is not a dress rehearsal. We only get one life, so live it to the fullest!’” Landry says. A sentiment to remember, no matter how young or old we are, no matter whether we are healthy or sick. We have but one life—and that life should be lived with the mindset that every day is worthy of a party.
For more information on New Orleans Lympho-Maniac Cancer Fund, visit www.lympho-maniac.com.
