Local Community Leaders Gather to Support Fight Against Cancer, Learn About Mary Bird Perkins
Guests hear from local survivor Randy Kinchen
Photo available for download. Captions available at end of release.
(Mandeville, LA) - On June 16, 2008, approximately 50 community residents gathered at the home of Randy Waesche on North Lake Drive in Mandeville to learn more about the mission and vision of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (MBP) and future plans for development in the Northshore area.
“Six years ago I had cancer,” Northshore resident Randy Kinchen told those assembled. “I had never heard of Mary Bird Perkins. I didn’t know there was a center in Covington or in Hammond for that matter.” He said the first question he asked his doctor was, “Where do I need to go – can I stay here?” His doctor recommended Mary Bird Perkins in Covington. “Here I am, six years later. When I was being treated I never missed work, not even one day,” he said. “I’ve been helping raise funds for Mary Bird Perkins for the last four years, so I’m connected in two ways. Let me just say, if you have money to donate, it’s an excellent place to give it.”
Randy Waesche, who has rotated off the Board of Directors for one year as treasurer of Mary Bird Perkins as required by the Center’s bylaws, stated emphatically, “If any of us in this community were to get cancer, there is only one place to go for treatment – Mary Bird Perkins.”
Todd Stevens, president and CEO of Mary Bird Perkins, gave an overview of Mary Bird Perkins’ role in the greater Northshore area, including a brief summary of the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) pilot and MBP’s selection as one of 14 community-based cancer programs in the country chosen to participate. Stevens also highlighted the Center’s education, prevention and early detection programs at all three locations. He said that since the screening program’s inception in 2002, over 23,000 people have been screened for various cancers by MBP and its partners. Lastly, Stevens shared information on the LSU-MBP medical physics program, one of only twelve such accredited programs in the United States. This program is increasing the scope of medical physics research to ultimately improve outcomes for patients, the driving force behind everything MBP does.
Two of the radiation oncologists at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington, Dr. Gregory Henkelmann and Dr. Charles Wood, related poignant stories about their association with Mary Bird Perkins and why they are steadfastly committed to its more than 35-year-old mission.
For more information about Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, please visit www.marybird.org.
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About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center:
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (MBP) has comprehensive cancer programs with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical 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. MBP operates a third location in Hammond.
Photo 1 Caption
Photo cap: (l to r) Todd Stevens, president/CEO, MBP; Carolyn Chassee, CFRE, vice president for development & chief development officer, MBP; Janis Mayfield, dosimetrist, MBP; Cindy Williamson, development director, Northshore/Florida Parishes, MBP; Randy Waesche, treasurer, MBP Board of Directors on one-year hiatus per bylaws; Dr. Gregory Henkelmann, radiation oncologist, MBP; and Dr.Charles Wood, radiation oncologist, MBP.