BATON ROUGE, La. – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has awarded its three most prestigious awards to local leaders and organizations who have gone above and beyond to support the Cancer Center and its patients. They were recently celebrated at the Cancer Center’s “Our Community” celebration in Baton Rouge.
Lisa and Tom Adamek were awarded the Hillar C. Moore, Jr., Memorial Outstanding Leadership Award. Each year, this award recognizes those whose service has made a significant and unique contribution to the Cancer Center’s philanthropic initiatives. For over two decades, the Adameks have demonstrated their passion for giving back to the community through their support of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
Having both been personally affected by cancer through family members, the Adameks have been champions in supporting the Cancer Center through philanthropy. After over ten years of giving annually at the highest level as members of the Rathbone Society, they generously enhanced their support with a transformational gift to the Take the Fight Forward initiative in 2015 – a gift that would help propel the Cancer Center into the leading ranks of other centers throughout the country.
In 2017, Tom played a role in the formation of the Investor Collective, a philanthropic men’s group dedicated to the education of its peers, disease prevention and support of programs that eliminate barriers to care for patients and their families at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. Together, the Adameks have been involved in all sorts of events and fundraising initiatives, always eager to spread the word about Mary Bird Perkins to their colleagues and peers.
Tom served on the Cancer Center’s board of directors for 15 years and assumed the role of Chairman of the Board in 2021. Through his exceptional leadership, he guided the Cancer Center through challenges and identified opportunities for the Cancer Center to sprint forward in its mission improving survivorship and lessening the burden of cancer for our community.
The Louis D. Curet Memorial Volunteer Fundraiser Award recognizes an individual, organization, or foundation that has launched or led a significant philanthropic effort in support of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. This year’s Louis D. Curet Memorial Volunteer Award recipient was Jani-King Gulf Coast.
Known across the Northshore and beyond, the Annual Bourbon Raffle supporting Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center presented by Jani-King Gulf Coast has been wildly successful in engaging the community and raising funds for the local Cancer Center. Since 2020, Chance Enmon, president of Jani-King Gulf Coast and breast cancer survivor, Jenni O’Neil, have been instrumental in growing this unique fundraiser year after year.
Thanks to Jani-King’s ongoing efforts, in 2025 their fundraiser raised $120,000 for the Cancer Center – bringing their total raised to $500,000 in just five years.
Totes de Joie, founded by Kiki Bergeron, Kerry Capron and Amanda LeBlanc, was awarded the D. Jensen Holliday Memorial Community Service Award. This award is presented annually to an individual whose vision and dedication have made a sustained and measurable difference in the fight against cancer.
After her breast cancer diagnosis in 2016, the love and support Kiki received from her family and friends inspired her to give back to others in the same way. She founded Totes de Joie (totes of joy), providing care bags to patients undergoing cancer treatment. These tote bags contained important daily essentials like water, chap stick, gum and other items, but more importantly, they contained prayer cards, handwritten notes and words of encouragement.
Kiki has engaged with other survivors, charitable organizations and local schools to support this incredible effort. Together, her team of volunteers has delivered nearly 2,000 totes of joy to cancer patients throughout Baton Rouge.
“Honoring these remarkable individuals and organizations is truly the highlight of our year,” said Danielle Mack, vice president and chief philanthropy officer, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “As a community cancer center, we rely heavily on the support of our local communities. We are humbled and inspired by champions across the region who share a real passion for helping others. It is only through their partnership and trust that we can continue to offer the compassionate care and exceptional programs that set us apart.”
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center also recognized supporters who have been added or moved up on the Cancer Center’s Our Community Wall. This wall recognizes individuals, corporations and foundations that have made a significant impact through their philanthropic support. The Wall represents those who are most committed and passionate about our mission.
The donors that were recognized are listed as follows:
- Associated Grocers, Inc.
- Annette Barton
- Lee Michael Berg Family
- Dr. and Mrs. Frederic T. Billings III
- Blue Ribbon Soirée
- Kennan and Jonathan Bruser
- Pam Richards and Pat Caballero
- Credit Bureau of Baton Rouge Foundation
- The E. J. and Marjory B. Ourso Family Foundation
- Rex and Gina Ellison
- Gamma Iota Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity at LSU
- Bob* and Alice Greer
- Mr. and Mrs. Lee Griffin*
- Dr. and Mrs. Greg Henkelmann
- Laurie Lipsey
- OxyChem
- Mary Olive Pierson*
- Torie and Richard Preis in honor of Max Preis*
- Jennifer Eplett and Sean Reilly
- Republic Finance
- Amanda Rothrock
- St. Joseph’s Academy
- J.R. Whaley
- Jean and Will Wilcox
To learn more about Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and to find information about charitable giving, visit marybird.org/giving.
*Fondly remembered