MBPCC Kicks Off 2007 Annual Giving Campaign
Volunteers Motivated to Raise Community Support to Save Lives
Photo available for download. Captions available at end of release.
On Tuesday, August 31, 2007 Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center kicked off its 2007 Annual Giving Campaign in the form of an indoor tailgating party, calling it a “Party with a Purpose.” Campaign Chairman James R. McIlwain, General Counsel and Secretary for Lamar Advertising Company, along with more than 50 community ambassadors of giving, joined together to launch the 2007 campaign. “The bottom line is that the Annual Giving Campaign volunteers help save lives,” said McIlwain. “That’s a humbling and motivating responsibility and we decided to start this year’s campaign with a celebration.”
The goal of the Annual Giving Campaign is to support the efforts and programs of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s C.A.R.E. Network which is on the front lines – saving lives through cancer support services, education and awareness programs, research and early detection through free community cancer screenings. In addition to providing for the C.A.R.E. Network’s programs, the community’s involvement with the Annual Giving Campaign supports the Center’s mission to treat patients who could otherwise not afford it.
Included in the evening’s program was a motivational speech by Marielle Howard, a former patient of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. Her inspirational story is a testimony to the lives touched every day by the staff of the Center. Tommy Teepell, Chief Marketing Officer for Lamar Advertising Company, concluded the program with a challenge to those present to surpass their 2007 goal.
This year’s volunteer fund-raisers have set an ambitious goal of $1.1 million – a 15% increase over funds raised in 2006. Katherine Rose, Senior Development Director for MBPCC, announced that gifts over $330,000 have already been pledged.
The work of the Annual Giving Campaign volunteers is crucial because their efforts help to provide access to health services for those who need it most. “The purpose of the kickoff was to motivate and inspire our volunteers,” said Rose. “Words cannot express how truly thankful we are for the generosity and commitment of the community to help Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in the fight against cancer.”
For more information about the Annual Giving Campaign and how you can help, please call (225) 766-8545 or (985) 974-4381. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a 501 (c) 3 organization.
Lamar Advertising Company and Jim McIlwain provided the location. Food and beverages were donated by Associated Grocers, Inc., Manda Fine Meats, Mockler Beverage Budweiser, Gail and Bill O’Quin, and Baton Rouge Coca-Cola. Clayton Lester and Robert Savage manned the grill and kitchen.
Members of the 2007 Annual Giving Campaign Cabinet include:
James R. McIlwain, Lamar Advertising Company, Campaign Chair
Bill O’Quin, Financial Services Online & Virtual Sales Assistant, Campaign Vice Chair
Paul R. Thompson, CitiGroup Smith Barney, Immediate Past Chair
Blanchard Sanchez Jr., McArthur-Sanchez Associates, Major Gifts Chair
Gordon LeBlanc Jr., Stonehenge Capital Corp., Major Gifts Vice Chair
Clayton Lester, Associated Grocers, Individual Division Chair
Bobby Yarborough, Manda Fine Meats, Individual Division Vice Chair
JoAnn Hamilton, Rubicon, LLC, Industry Chair
Stacey B. Chiasson, The Dow Chemical Company, Industry Vice Chair
Tory Johnson, Hancock Bank, Corporate Chair
Christina Streb, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Corporate Vice Chair
Randy Kinchen, Parish National Bank, Northshore Chair
Donna Taylor, Stirling Properties, Florida Parishes Chair
###
About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center:
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has been fighting cancer for over 35 years. It is the only independent, nonprofit cancer treatment, education and research facility in Louisiana providing state of the art
radiation therapy to all community residents regardless of ability to pay. Mary Bird Perkins has integrated cancer programs with Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center in Baton Rouge and St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. These programs are accredited by the American College of Surgeons – the gold standard for community-based cancer care. The Center also enjoys a long-standing relationship with North Oaks Hospital in Hammond.
About the C.A.R.E. Network:
The mission of the C.A.R.E. Network (Cancer Support Services, Awareness and Education, Research and Early Detection) is to lessen the burden of cancer in the community. Established in 2002, it is funded by gifts from the community and provides hundreds of programs and services, including free cancer screenings, to thousands of people every year. The research and academic medical physics partnership with MBP and Louisiana State University is also funded in part by the C.A.R.E. Network. The Center has locations in Baton Rouge, Covington and Hammond.
Photo 1 Caption
Pictured (l to r) James R. McIlwain, chairman, 2007 Annual Giving Campaign; Lynn Weill, VP for Development and Chief Development Officer, MBP; Katherine Rose, Senior Development Director, MBP; Bill O’Quin, campaign vice chair.