Maurine LaCour Recipient of D. Jensen Holliday Memorial Award

Volunteers More Than 50 Hours a Week

  (Baton Rouge, La.) Maurine LaCour of Prairieville was presented with the D. Jensen Holliday Memorial Award Tuesday, November 13, 2012 during a reception in her honor at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. Todd Stevens, president and CEO, Mary Bird Perkins, explained to those present that the Board of Directors of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center established the award as an expression of gratitude for the significant contribution Jensen Holliday made to the Center as a member of the board of directors for 10 years, including the two years he served as chairman from 1998 – 2000 prior to his death. Stevens called Holliday the embodiment of a community servant. The current Chairman of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s Board of Directors, Mrs. Donna Saurage, said, “Jensen Holliday was a dear friend of mine and presenting an award bearing his name is indeed an honor. Ms. LaCour has given so much of herself to so many that I know Jensen would be pleased with the selection committee’s choice.” Saurage shared highlights from LaCour’s nomination that included the following: After being diagnosed with two types of cancer in 2007 and undergoing treatment for 2 ½ years, Maurine watched other patients going through the same challenges she was. She vowed to make it her passion to help others facing those challenges when she was well again. In 2010 Maurine started the Hope Cancer Ministry. Today she volunteers more than 50 hours a week, leading a group of 134 volunteers delivering snacks to some 1,800 patients every month at five local cancer centers, including Mary Bird Perkins and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and to many patients in their homes. The Hope Cancer Ministry also arranges weekend deep sea fishing trips for St. Jude children, and since Hurricane Isaac, has begun a process to ensure that necessary paperwork is completed each hurricane season that places vulnerable cancer patients high on the power companies’ priority list to restore service. She is a fundraiser for the St. Jude Give Thanks Walk; a volunteer for Cooking for Christ, preparing meals for the homeless, and for Brave Heart and Foster Care Programs, packaging Christmas gifts; a coordinator for the adoption of Mary Bird Perkins, St. Jude, and Baton Rouge General patients for Christmas gifts, and for free shopping days for Uniquely His Widows; and is an organizer for Produce Saturdays, ensuring that fresh produce and seasonal fruit are delivered to cancer patients on that day. Mrs. Estelle Holliday presented Maurine LaCour with the D. Jensen Holliday Memorial Award, evoking applause and a standing ovation from the audience. LaCour addressed the overflowing room saying in part, “When I was nominated for this award, I wanted to know more about Jensen Holliday. I learned he was a man with a huge heart. That makes this award even more special.” A celebratory reception followed with assorted hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Nominations are accepted annually for this award and are reviewed by a select committee to choose the nominee who best reflects Holliday’s vision and dedication to the greater good of a community served by Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center while making a sustained and measurable difference in the fight against cancer.   Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a regional cancer care organization that has been fighting cancer for over 40 years. With five centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma and Gonzales, its service area encompasses 18 parishes across southeast Louisiana.