Totally Awesome 80s Party Rocks Baton Rouge

Cancer Center’s The Taste Fundraiser Generates more than $350,000 to Benefit Local Cancer Patients

(Baton Rouge, La.) The 80s were back in a rad way for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s signature event, The Taste, raising more than $350,000 for cancer care in the community. The March 29 80s-themed event celebrated award-winning cuisine from Baton Rouge’s top restaurants and caterers. Guests sampled tasty cuisine, danced the night away to music by 80s cover band Werewolf, participated in live and silent auction bidding and made donations in others’ names through the 365 Days of Giving Wall. An extraordinary highlight of the evening saw multiple individuals honor survivors and loved ones in the most personal way. Each made a heartfelt and transformational gift that will support the state-of-the-art Gerry Lane Infusion Center, a vital component of the Cancer Center’s comprehensive program. “The generosity and compassion the community has for cancer patients is always amazing, and the sponsors and vendors who participate in The Taste are so appreciated” said Ethan Bush, vice president and chief development officer, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “And, of course, we couldn’t do any of this without the attendees. The way the community comes together to help cancer patients is so inspiring and many lives will be touched by this outpouring of support.” The Taste guests were invited to sample unique culinary offerings from more than twenty local eateries. The event, chaired this year by Rebecca Rathbone Harrod, has become known for not only showcasing the city’s most popular restaurants, but also introducing guests to the newest places to hit the city’s food scene. The Taste was held at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel, a presenting sponsor, along with Brian Harris Audi and Louisiana Lottery Corporation. For information on The Taste 2018, call (225) 215-1224.   About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center As a regional destination for cancer care, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center offers the most advance technology and services provided by a dedicated team of nationally-recognized oncology experts. The Cancer Center provides best-practice, comprehensive care at every stage of the cancer journey, including disease site-specific multidisciplinary care teams, a robust clinical research program, extensive supportive care services and is the only facility in the Gulf South with the revolutionary Leksell Gamma Knife®Icon™. As a nonprofit organization, donor generosity is essential to sustaining the mission of improving survivorship and lessening the burden of cancer for so many throughout Southeast Louisiana and beyond. For more information on the Cancer Center, and how you can become involved, please visit marybirdlake.org.