St. Joseph’s Academy, St. Michael the Archangel High School, Bill Peters Receive Prestigious Awards
(Baton Rouge, La.) Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center recognized St. Joseph’s Academy, St. Michael the Archangel and Bill Peters at theannual Rathbone Society Dinner, which recognizes its most suportive donors for their incredible generosity. This year’s event, held September 14 at the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel, brought together over 200 business people, community leaders, phillanthropists and others who dedicate their time and resources to ensure cancer patients have access to the highest quality cancer care here in the Baton Rouge commuity.
“Because of you and your strong desire to help cancer patients, their families, friends and caregivers, we are helping save and improve the lives of so many in our community,” Todd Stevens, Mary Bird Perkins president and CEO, told those assembled. His address centered on the completion of Phase One of the $23 million Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake renovation and expansion project begun in June 2013, and how the combination of cancer services under one brand is creating a Cancer Center second to none in the region with every element designed to provide a comfortable and efficent patient experience.
Scott Wester, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center president and CEO, followed with more detail about the strength of the collaboration in advancing the fight against cancer, highlighting several of the year’s remarkable successes and telling donors, “Your support is fueling the momentum to ensure we have the resources to keep pushing forward – that we never give up the fight against cancer.”
Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center Administrator, Linda Lee, and Mary Bird Perkins’ Board Chair, Dr. Tom Meek, introduced two prestigious volunteer awards, each named after individuals who set the standard for volunteerism at the Center. Following brief video presentations showcasing the award winners, Lee and Louis Curet presented the Louis D. Curet Volunteer Fundraiser Award to two recipients for the first time – St. Joseph’s Academy (SJA) and St. Michael the Archangel High School (SMAHS) – represented by SJA Volleyball Coach Sivi Miller and SMAHS Coach Rob Smith. Dr. Meek and Hillar Moore, III presented the Hillar C. Moore, Jr. Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, in recognition of a significant and unique service contribution to philanthropic initiatives, to Bill Peters, an enthusiastic supporter of the Cancer Center for nearly 15 years, serving as both board member and Chair of the Foundation Board.
Following dinner and the viewing of a powerful video titled “Take the Fight Forward,” the Cancer Center’s Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Ethan Bush, kept the momentum going by telling the group, “Fighting cancer takes courage. Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center is launching a $25 million initiative to invest in courage – to become the destination cancer center for the Gulf South.”
Guests received exclusive VIP tickets for a behind the scenes tour of the new facilities, which will give them the opportunity to learn more about helping take the crucial fight against cancer forward in Baton Rouge and across the Gulf South.
Mary Bird Perkins—Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center is the most comprehensive cancer center in Louisiana offering patients the convenience of receiving high-quality, advanced care close to home.