Ladies Night Out raising cancer funds

Terrebonne General Medical Center will honor those battling or who have battled cancer with a “party in pink” at their Ladies Night Out celebration on March 21.

The eighth-annual fundraiser gala raises awareness and provides support to patients undergoing treatment at TGMC’s Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

Rhonda Alfred, director of marketing at TGMC, said the event started as a breast cancer fundraiser but it evolved through the years for all cancer patients to reap the benefits.

The event began with 100 ladies at the hospital, but has grown into what is now the largest ladies cancer fundraiser in the southeast with 1,000 ladies in attendance, she said.

“We’re looking forward to bringing this event to our community again to raise awareness,” Alfred said. “It provides a community partnership so ladies in the community can feel connected to our cause.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report about 14 million people learn they have cancer each year and 8 million of those die from the disease.

Alfred said cancer is one of the top two causes of death in Terrebonne Parish.

Amy Ponson, director of development at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC, said one of the main reasons Terrebonne Parish has such a high mortality rate with regards to cancer is because of the lack of education and access to care.

To combat that, the local cancer center focuses on educational programs within the community and early detection through screening programs with their Early Bird Mobile Medical Unit.

“We’re bringing the screenings to them,” Ponson said. “They don’t have to come all the way to the hospital to get access to care.”

The Early Bird Bus has the capability to screen for four different types of cancer – breast, oral, skin and colorectal. Last year, Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC added a second bus to their cancer center and more than doubled the number of screenings to total 1,200 people.

“We’re screening more people today than in the past, which means we’re diagnosing cancer at more early stages, which is a positive thing because the earlier you can catch cancer the more likely you will be able to find a better cure,” she said. “Early detection is truly the best protection.”

As Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center continues to expand their services, the Ladies Night Out benefit provides funding for patient care.

Ponson said the event raised more than $55,000 last year through a silent auction with gift baskets, spa days, flower arrangements, jewelry, art and other gifts donated by local businesses.

She said a popular raffle item this year is a $3,000 rejuvenation package, which includes spa treatments by the Haydel Dermatology staff. Tickets are on sell for $25 and can be purchased at Haydel Dermatology.

Sally-Ann Roberts with WWL Eyewitness Morning News in New Orleans is this year’s guest speaker.

Alfred said Roberts will share cancer’s impact on her life through her sister Robin Roberts’ diagnosis. Robin, an anchor on ABC’s “Good Morning America” shared a public battle with cancer in 2007 and 2008.

Eric Paulsen, Sally-Ann’s co-anchor, will serve as master of ceremonies of this year’s event.

Ponson said the event sells out each year, and the cancer center looks forward to providing support with nutritional supplements, medication assistance and transportation assistance with any funding acquired by the event.

“It’s an amazing experience when you see 1,000 women in one room fighting against cancer,” she said.

Tickets for the event are on sale for $50, with an option to buy tickets for a table of eight for $400.

To purchase, stop by the TGMC gift shop near the main entrance of the hospital or call 985-873-4002.