BATON ROUGE, La. – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has launched its annual Geaux Pink fundraising campaign. Cancer Center leaders and local advocates joined Chief of Staff Mark Cooper for a kick-off event held at the Governor’s Mansion on Oct. 2.
Geaux Pink, presented by Super Chevy Dealers, is Mary Bird Perkins’ signature fundraising program that encourages individuals, schools, restaurants, businesses, sports teams, and others to join in the fight against cancer during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Funds raised through this campaign directly support local communities. Geaux Pink funds help provide vital assistance for cancer patients and support free early detection and prevention events, cancer screenings and education programs.
“Every year during our Geaux Pink campaign, I am inspired by the incredible generosity of our community,” said Danielle Mack, vice president and chief development officer, Mary Bird Perkins Center. “For over a decade now, this campaign has allowed us to expand our services and extend care to as many cancer patients and their families as possible. We have accomplished so much, but we know there is still so much work to do. I encourage everyone in our community to contribute to Geaux Pink. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us in our mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer for our patients.”
Since its inception, Geaux Pink has raised over $1 million. Through this annual campaign and other fundraising events, Mary Bird Perkins has screened over 112,000 people. Among those screened, the Cancer Center was able to detect over 835 cancers and provide follow up navigation services. These screenings have literally saved lives.
“When it comes to treating cancer and improving the chances of successful health outcomes, early detection is key,” said Renea Duffin, vice president, cancer support and outreach, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Every dollar we collect through Geaux Pink is put toward expanding access to our early detection services. Every dollar is put to work saving lives in our community.”
While National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the most popular and visible time for cancer awareness, our community is encouraged to support the Cancer Center year-round through Geaux Pink.
For more information about this campaign and for ways in which you can get involved, visit marybird.org/geauxpink.
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 10 centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Gonzales, Hammond, Houma, Opelousas, Slidell, and Natchez, Mississippi, and its service area encompasses southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi regions. Mary Bird Perkins has a strategic affiliation 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.