C O M M E M O R AT I V E R E P O R T
A Message from THE BOARD CHAIR IN OUR 50TH YEAR, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center took giant leaps forward in spite of the unrelenting COVID-19 pandemic that paused growth for many healthcare organizations around the country. This progress was made possible due to the generous, dedicated philanthropic support stemming from every area we serve throughout southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi. Individual, corporate and other contributions to Mary Bird Perkins provided us with the ability to, as always, put patient care at the center of all we do. Over the course of the last 12 months, unprecedented gifts to the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation funded ongoing needs to acquire the most advanced cancer treatment technology, enhance medical physics clinical and academic research, and propel the Prevention on the Go early detection program to reach even more people. This generosity also expanded the endowment to ensure solid, fertile ground where innovations and the highest level of cancer care can flourish for generations to come. And through new and longtime partnerships, the stage has been set for an even more collaborative, innovative environment that will influence patient care in new and exciting ways. As an organization focused 100 percent on fighting cancer, we look forward to seeking out others who desire to move cancer care forward and work in tandem with Mary Bird Perkins to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer for the thousands of people throughout the Gulf South impacted by this disease each and every year. We thank you for your continued support of Mary Bird Perkins and our philosophy to bring services to the communities where they are most needed. Your trust and confidence means everything to us and we will always uphold the expectations in which our organization has become known. Sincerely, TOM ADAMEK Chair, Board of Directors
TIMELINE 1971
Mary Bird Perkins Radiation Treatment Center opens on the Woman’s Hospital campus
1988
Hammond Center opens
1970
Mary Bird Perkins moves to Essen Lane campus
1985
1990
2004
The Mary Bird Perkins – LSU Department of Physics and Astronomy Medical Physics Partnership was created to provide for a multi-layered joint academic and research program
1995
2000
Mary Bird Perkins on Essen Lane in Baton Rouge completes more than $24 million renovation and expansion project
2005
2018
Mary Bird Perkins, Our Lady of the Lake and Woman’s Hospital open the Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion
2019
Natchez, MS Center opens
2020
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National Cancer Institute selects LSU-New Orleans, Mary Bird Perkins and others for research collaborative
2016 Mary Bird Perkins, in partnership with Our Lady of the Lake, brings the first Gamma Knife Icon to Gulf South
2018
Cancer Services becomes part of the Mary Bird Perkins network
National Cancer Institute renews grant funding for LSU-New Orleans, Mary Bird Perkins and others for research collaborative
2021 2015
2021
A cancer patient rings the bell to mark the end of his treatment.
2015
2019 2010
Mary Bird Perkins launches an MRI-Guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy Program made possible through an investment from the Cancer Center, Favre Family and community donors
Mary Bird Perkins establishes its Prevention on the Go early detection program
Houma Center opens
2009
Mary Bird Perkins and Blue Cross Foundation expand Prevention on the Go to the Delta Region
Covington Center opens
2008
Gonzales Center opens
2015
1998
2002
2001
Mary Bird Perkins implements intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment technology
1985
Mary Bird Perkins and The NeuroMedical Center establish clinical research agreement
2021 2020
Mary Bird Perkins partners with OneOncology to reduce costs for patients, expand access to clinical trials and fuel program growth
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A COLLABORATIVE Community Approach
Examples of EXCELLENCE
LOCAL SUPPORT, MARY BIRD PERKINS’ BEGINNINGS, VALUABLE PARTNERSHIPS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE facing the fear of a cancer diagnosis have turned to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center for the last 50 years. Our commitment continues as we provide every patient and their family with hope, compassion and the highest quality care. We believe it’s something every person deserves. The community leadership that laid the groundwork for this philosophy began in 1971 and endures today with generous individuals, corporations, grantors and others ensuring people can remain close to home for care. The organization’s radiation facilities and comprehensive cancer centers throughout southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi are advancing the boundaries of cancer care, and expansion continues. We were excited to enhance services for patients and their families at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington this year and to advance our partnership with Northshore Oncology Associates, a beloved group of physicians that now offers medical oncology services in this location. Dedicated philanthropists in this community have also positioned us to expand our Prevention on the Go education, prevention and early detection services on the Northshore, providing resources to prevent and detect cancer in its earliest stages.
• Prevention on the Go community and workplace programs
REACHING OUT
• Advanced genetic testing and counseling
Mary Bird Perkins currently provides services at the following locations:
• Specialized teams of physicians and other health professionals collaborating to treat different types of cancer and develop customized treatment plans
BATON ROUGE • Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center on Essen Lane • The Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion, a partnership between Woman’s Hospital, Mary Bird Perkins and Our Lady of the Lake COVINGTON • Offering comprehensive cancer services
• Advanced diagnostic and imaging services, tailored to cancer patients
GONZALES, HAMMOND AND NATCHEZ • Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center radiation facilities
• Breakthrough clinical trials that complement treatment plans
HOUMA A comprehensive cancer care partnership between Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Terrebonne General Health System
• Specially trained cancer nurses and social workers who navigate patients through the challenges of a cancer journey, a service made available thanks to the generosity of donors
Cancer Services, providing non-medical support services to those living with cancer, independently operated with key support from the Cancer Center
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BECAUSE OF MARY BIRD PERKINS’ leadership in cancer care and our stellar partners, there is an abundance of innovative services offered through our extensive network:
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Critical Elements of CANCER CARE
Leading by EXAMPLE
KEY TREATMENT MODALITIES Kos Kovtun, MD
MARY BIRD PERKINS Cancer Center attracts physicians who have the opportunity to practice anywhere in the country, and they select our facilities to utilize their skills, talents and experience to advance cancer care throughout our network. In addition, our team members are equally as dedicated, putting patient care above all. It’s why more people are choosing Mary Bird Perkins for their oncology needs and why so many referring physicians place their trust in us in caring for their patients. From expert treatment, advanced technology and survivorship to breakthrough clinical trials, translational research and community philanthropy, Mary Bird Perkins’ comprehensive approach to cancer care ensures physicians are surrounded with every resource they need to improve outcomes for patients facing cancer.
PRIMARY CLINICAL SERVICES RADIATION ONCOLOGY – Radiation therapy is an x-ray treatment that damages or destroys cancer cells by using high-energy photon beams. As a result of an investment by Mary Bird Perkins, a transformational gift from the Favre Family and support from the community, the Cancer Center is one of the first in the country to launch an MRI-guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy program, a process through which radiation oncologists can identify anatomical changes and adapt the patient’s treatment on a daily basis. This technology can produce a substantial improvement in radiation dose distribution and produces fewer side
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effects. Currently, there are six programs in the country to offer this advanced precision medicine treatment. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY – Medical oncologists specialize in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal, biological and immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Innovative practices, such as gene sequencing provide the best medical treatments to eliminate cancer and reduce side effects for a truly unique approach. These physicians provide supportive care and may coordinate treatment prescribed by other providers.
BY ANYONE’S STANDARDS, Lieutenant Donald Burton has led a life of remarkable achievement. The 45-year-old Ponchatoula native has always been committed to serving others in his community, from his 20-year career in law enforcement to his leadership as a local minister for Westside Church of God in Christ. Burton, a former competitive bodybuilder—and winner of 2016’s Mr. Louisiana Championship—was in the prime of his health when a simple sinus headache suddenly became life-threatening. In 2018, Burton went to a Hammond allergy clinic with a nosebleed, where his doctor discovered the cause of his sinus issues to be a rare stage four nasopharynx cancer. The same day, he visited Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Hammond and began a tailored radiation treatment plan with Dr. Kos Kovtun, a Mary Bird Perkins radiation oncologist. The physician also collaborated with other specialists that were part of Burton’s care team. “The radiation treatment plan we created for Donald was unique to his diagnosis; it’s something we do for every patient to ensure the best outcomes possible,” said Kovtun. “We surround patients with clinical and support services and the most advanced technology. And it’s made possible by generous community support.” Over the next year, as Burton battled cancer with his Mary Bird Perkins expert care team, it seemed like he was nearly in the clear; he had been making progress with treatment, and the affected bone near his brain had even started to regenerate. But then life —Dr. Kos Kovtun threw the Burton family another curveball—during a routine PET scan, physicians found 13 new nodules in both of Burton’s lungs. Then, in the midst of this second phase of treatment, Burton was forced to quarantine away from his support system following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. “I just kept on believing and keeping my faith in God in order to push through physically, mentally, and spiritually,” he said. Burton’s steadfast faith kept him going until finally, he received good news. He completed immunotherapy and chemotherapy treatment in December, and at a follow-up appointment a few months later he learned that his cancer was in remission. His experience over the past three years has given him a new appreciation for life and positive outlook for the future. He recently welcomed his 15th grandchild into the world, has resumed his work on the police force, and is looking forward to getting back into the gym as a fitness coach to help inspire others. “Every day is a brighter day because no matter how cloudy it is, I look forward to waking up and making a difference. I feel privileged to be alive,” Burton says. “We have an option to give out or give up, I like to say, and I give it all up to God. I don’t give out, I don’t quit, just keep the fight going.”
Lieutenant Donald Burton
“The radiation treatment plan we created for Donald was unique to his diagnosis. It’s something we do for every patient to ensure the best outcomes possible.”
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A Legacy of INNOVATION
From Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center to SpaceX
BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY, ACADEMIC AND CLINICAL PROGRAMS WITH LSU
THE MARY BIRD PERKINS – Louisiana State University Department of Physics and Astronomy Medical Physics partnership continues to provide for a multi-layered joint academic and research program between the two organizations. Created in 2004, the partnership leverages the educational and research resources of Mary Bird Perkins and LSU to benefit patients receiving cancer care around the world. This year, the joint program received a $7.8 million gift from the late Charles M. Smith, M.D. that will enhance this renowned partnership and impact the medical physics program for years to come. In other areas of innovation, the Cancer Center is also using decision-making tools that aid physicians in enhancing diagnostics, treatment outcomes and survival rates. Through a partnership with Vysioneer, the Cancer Center is utilizing artificial intelligence in conjunction with data from Gamma Knife Icon treatments to provide the safest, most precise radiation treatments possible.
SPACEX WAS THE FIRST private company to send astronauts into orbit last year. Studying the impact of radiation on these space travelers and their equipment, several students enrolled in the Mary Bird Perkins–LSU medical physics program saw a connection between radiation exposure in astronauts traveling beyond the Earth’s protective magnetic field and cancer patients. One of the graduate students in the SpaRTAN Physics Lab investigating this connection is Nousha Afshari. “I was constantly seeing nearly identical patients who had the same background, lifestyle, cancer in the same location and the same type of radiation treatment,” Afshari said. “But one would have serious, chronic side effects while the other would be fine. That bothered me. Let’s give patients better statistics on how radiation is going to affect them. This kind of data isn’t available yet. That’s the driving force behind the research I want to do. I came into this program with the goal of helping as many people as possible.” Afshari’s Ph.D. work will build upon some of the findings and outcomes of fellow students’ projects to produce new ways to predict and understand radiation exposure. This will have implications for both clinical radiotherapy and space exploration.
“I was constantly seeing nearly identical patients who had the same background, lifestyle, cancer in the same location and the same type of radiation treatment.” —Nousha Afshari
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Curbside Cancer PREVENTION, EDUCATION and EARLY DETECTION EVOLUTION OF A MISSION CRITICAL PROGRAM AND WHERE WE STAND TODAY TEAMS AT MARY BIRD PERKINS Cancer Center continue to address the existing, very present issues of health inequity, diversity and inclusion. With minorities disproportionately impacted by cancer with higher-than-average mortality rates across most cancers, the organization continues its increasing prevention, education and early detection efforts for everyone. Part of this growth is expansion of its Prevention on the Go early detection services to additional communities and workplaces. This commitment to increase early detection and participation continues to be a focal point, bringing these services to as many people as possible. This included restarting and reconfiguring Prevention on the Go after a short pause immediately following the start of the pandemic. As soon as the team implemented processes to keep screening participants and staff safe, while providing services on its mobile medical unit, the program was up and running, even successfully bringing back its signature Fest for Life screening event in a COVID-19 safe environment.
MAKING HISTORY: 100,000th Cancer Screening “YOU HAVE NOTHING to lose, but everything to gain.” Tonya Truehill of Plattenville, Louisiana will forever be part of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s history. In August, she received the 100,000th cancer screening offered through the organization’s Prevention on the Go program. Tonya has taken advantage of this free community program every year since 2010. She has lost several relatives to breast and gynecological cancers, including her mother. With this family history, Tonya knows it’s important to stay aware of her own health. “If I’m going to potentially face cancer one day, I want to make sure I deal with it in the beginning and not when it’s too late,” she said. TYPES OF SCREENINGS AVAILABLE Tonya remembers her first visit in 2010 and the great experience she had. As part of the program’s education services, Cancer Center team members explained how to complete a breast self-examination to the group of women waiting to be screened. Tonya says team members also ensured all her questions were answered. “Women in the community came together for something good,” she says. “This is why I kept going. I was comfortable and everyone was so polite.” With help from partners, the Cancer Center screens for breast, colorectal, oral, prostate and skin cancers across 30 parishes and counties in Louisiana and southwest Mississippi. These ongoing efforts have been nationally recognized as best practices in outreach and make an impact on the overall health of people in the communities Prevention on the Go serves. Prevention on the Go has also been expanded to the Delta Region of Louisiana, which consists of an additional 12-parish area. TAKING CHARGE OF HER OWN HEALTH It’s fitting that long-time participant Tonya helped the program reach its incredible 100,000th screening milestone in 2021 while the Cancer Center celebrates its 50th anniversary. Since Prevention on the Go began, over 750 cancers have been detected from over 2,500 screening events. Tonya believes the program has been beneficial to keeping community members healthy and added COVID-19 precautions also ensure individuals are safe while screening. Tonya uses her own screening experiences to encourage others to attend. “You can’t handle something if you don’t know what you’re dealing with,” she said. “Getting screened is important to keep you from being in the dark.”
This commitment to increase early detection and participation continues to be a focal point, and is only made possible by community philanthropy. 10 | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
“Women in the community came together for something good. This is why I kept going. I was comfortable and everyone was so polite.” —Tonya Truehill
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MAKING STRIDES in Clinical Research TRIALS, STUDIES, AND THE NEUROMEDICAL CENTER PARTNERSHIP
Propelling Cancer Care FORWARD BY THE NUMBERS
$433,000 Amount raised for local cancer care by Mary Bird Perkins signature galas in Baton Rouge and Houma, which were partially virtual this year.
320 Number of Gamma Knife Icon treatments provided by Mary Bird Perkins, in partnership with Our Lady of the Lake, one of just a few locations in the U.S. where patients can receive this noninvasive, high-tech treatment.
167,727 Number of patient services (including radiation and infusion services, surgeries, and patient navigation) provided by the Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion, which celebrated its 3rd anniversary.
51%
3,000+
45
214
Ratio of Prevention on the Go Workplace participants who had never been screened for skin cancer.
New patients served annually throughout southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi.
The number of clinical trials offered by the Cancer Center at any given time.
Patients who participated in clinical trials.
$665,000 CLINICAL TRIALS HELP test new ways to prevent, detect, diagnose and treat diseases and every Cancer Center patient is evaluated for a study that may benefit them. For many years, Mary Bird Perkins has worked to enhance clinical research that can result in improved patient outcomes and survival rates. Thanks to a $13.6 million National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) grant, the Cancer Center, along with LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans and other partners, are bringing more cancer clinical trials to our communities with a special emphasis on underserved cancer patients. BRAIN CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS The Cancer Center offers a vast array of clinical trials for patients, including new brain cancer studies, in partnership with The NeuroMedical Center. The first clinical trial, sponsored by Novocure called TRIDENT, for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) patients, launched this year and offers new hope to those impacted by this disease. COVID-19 STUDY The Cancer Center enrolled the first two patients in the country for the National Cancer Institute COVID-19 in Cancer Patients Study (NCCAPS). This is a program where researchers are exploring how COVID-19 affects patients’ cancer treatments and outcomes as well as identifying any genetic risk factors and markers in individuals with severe cases of the virus. 12 | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Gift amount made by the Ben Blanchard Memorial Foundation to the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation, providing support for early detection, prevention and patient assistance on the Northshore for years to come.
$7.8 Million Gift Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation received the largest bequest to date through a shared gift with LSU from Dr. Charles M. Smith. The funds will be dedicated to enhancing the joint Mary Bird Perkins/LSU medical physics program.
100K Cancer Screenings In its 50th year, Mary Bird Perkins hit another major milestone with the 100,000th screening, and 766 cancers detected. Hundreds of people have been diagnosed, navigated and are now survivors through the Prevention on the Go program, which recently expanded to Louisiana’s Delta Region, thanks to a grant from the Blue Cross Foundation. Prevention on the Go is made possible by many generous donors. We thank them for helping us earn this significant achievement and continuing to support this much-needed community resource. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center | 13
You are THE KEY to Helping More People Triumph Over Cancer
VOLUNTEER Join us as a volunteer and assist with guest services, clerical support or providing a caring and compassionate “personal touch” for our patients. DONATE Each donation to Mary Bird Perkins impacts thousands of people through programs and services that help to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer. Through the collective impact of gifts and investment support, you can help make a difference. A gift in honor of someone is a wonderful way to pay tribute and support the fight against cancer. 14 | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
WORKPLACE GIVING Workplace giving helps to engage your employees, benefit your community and enhance motivation. Employees can enroll in payroll deduction or make a one-time gift by joining our mission as we work together to surround our community with the most advanced cancer care and support services available in the Gulf South. FUNDRAISE Get creative and organize your own fundraiser. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, school event, neighborhood project, sporting event (or just because!), you can use any occasion to support patients at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. For more information, on any of these programs, visit marybird.org/giving. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
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