BATON ROUGE, La. – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center recently recognized and presented several prestigious awards, named after individuals who made meaningful differences in the fight against cancer. These awards honored Bob and Alice Greer; Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips; and Frederic T. Billings, III, M.D.
“This year’s honorees all exemplify decades of dedication to the Cancer Center and its mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer,” said Tom Adamek, chairman, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center board of directors. “Their collective effort has played a remarkable role in the enhancement and expansion of cancer care across southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi that continues to this day.”
The Hillar C. Moore, Jr., Memorial Outstanding Leadership Award recognizes those whose service has made a significant and unique contribution to the Cancer Center’s philanthropic initiatives. This year, the award was presented to Bob and Alice Greer. Both cancer survivors, Bob and Alice have spent decades giving their time and lending their fundraising abilities to Mary Bird Perkins. Each has individually served on the Cancer Center’s Board of Directors, in addition to spearheading multiple fundraising campaigns that have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. Though their body of work speaks for itself, the couple has shown a commitment to enhancing and expanding Mary Bird Perkins’ reach few others have achieved.
The Louis D. Curet Memorial Volunteer Fundraiser Award was presented by Mr. Curet’s daughter, Jeanne James, to Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips. The award recognizes an individual, organization, or foundation that has launched or led a significant philanthropic effort in support of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. Since the Cancer Center’s inception, Taylor Porter has been a steadfast partner, participating in countless events, shepherding numerous philanthropic efforts, and cultivating a culture of participation and mobilization among the firm’s employees. Accepting the award on the company’s behalf was Brett Furr, Taylor Porter partner and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation board member. Taylor Porter has been key to many of the Cancer Center’s successes that span decades, showing unwavering support.
The D. Jensen Holliday Memorial Community Service Award is presented annually to an individual whose vision and dedication have made a sustained and measurable difference in the fight against cancer. This year’s award was presented to Frederic T. Billings, III, M.D. A retired medical oncologist, Billings worked at Mary Bird Perkins for more than two decades as a member of Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates. Throughout those years, he championed various Cancer Center causes by serving as a board member for Mary Bird Perkins, Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, and the Hospice Foundation of Baton Rouge. Led by the mission to improve cancer care and support patients, Billings has tirelessly volunteered countless hours of his valuable time. His impact can be felt throughout the organization, especially in the field of palliative and supportive care wherethrough their generosity, he and his wife Susan established the Riley-Billings Palliative and Supportive Care Clinic, named in honor of their mothers who both lost their battles to cancer. Simply put, patients continue to benefit from the unparalleled devotion of Billings.
“Mary Bird Perkins is fortunate to have scores of supporters who, over decades, have believed in its mission and purpose, and made a remarkable impact on cancer care” said Todd Stevens, president, and CEO, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “The fervent devotion displayed by this year’s award recipients simultaneously serves as an example and encourages others to support the mission and enhance cancer care throughout Louisiana and in southwest Mississippi.”
About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a regional cancer care organization that has been fighting cancer for more than 50 years. The cancer care organization provides care at nine centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma, Gonzales, Slidell, and Natchez, Mississippi, and its service area encompasses southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi regions. Mary Bird Perkins has a strategic partnership with OneOncology and the largest radiation and medical oncology groups from across the area including exclusive partnerships with Southeastern Louisiana Radiation Oncology Group, which provides radiation therapy throughout Mary Bird Perkins’ service areas, Northshore Oncology Associates, serving St. Tammany and Washington Parishes, specifically the communities of Covington and Slidell and Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates, which services the Greater Baton Rouge area. For more information, please visit www.marybird.org.