Capital Chefs' Showcase: Silent Auction

For the 30th year of Capital Chefs' Showcase, Cancer Services has not only invited 30 of the best chefs in the Greater Baton Rouge area but has also secured over 200 unique and exciting items for our Showcase Silent Auction. You'll have the chance to bid on items like these -  all to benefit those living with cancer in our area. Click here to buy your Showcase tickets now so you can come claim your favorites!

Here's just a small representation of what this generous community has provided us:

African safari with Ezulwini Lodges

Necklace made from vintage items from Grandmother's Buttons

Original artwork from Dixon Smith

Pearl and diamond earrings from Diamond Distributors

LSU Football signed by Head Coach Les Miles donated by Jean Brown

Saints suite tickets and packing pass for the Nov. 5th Eagles game donated by Capital One/Don Barnes

Set of two blue painted porcelain vases from McMillin Interiors

LSU WIN! bar painted on driftwood by Eric Garcia

Staying Relevant: Until there’s a cure, there’s Cancer Services

For over 50 years, Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge has been in this community serving cancer patients, their family members and caregivers. Using the word relevance expresses our promise to stay meaningful and relevant to their needs – even though those needs have changed drastically over the years.  

When Cancer Services opened its doors in the 1950’s, those who heard the words “you have cancer” had fewer options and less hope than today’s cancer patients. As a result, the agency had a hospice feel, providing loaned equipment, home visits and sick room supplies.  Thankfully, today’s advancements have made cancer survivorship a real thing. There are over 12 million cancer survivors in America and the number continues to grow. Over the years Cancer Services has continually responded to stay relevant to today’s survivors. When chemotherapy became mainstream, we addressed its side effects by opening our wig boutique and offering nutritional supplements. When exercise became a recommended option, we started aerobics, yoga and Zumba geared to the physical abilities and needs of survivors. With more people living long-term with cancer, we’ve expanded our support groups and started hosting more survivorship events.

Through our programs and services – and with the generous help of this community – we promise to stay relevant to the needs of cancer patients and their families.   

 

Capital Chefs' Showcase: Our FABULOUS Chefs!

 It's no secret that Louisiana has some of the best food in the country, if not the world. So when Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge brings the area's best chefs together for Capital Chefs' Showcase each year, it's an opportunity to have an amazing culinary experience all under one roof. Not only are they masters of their craft, but these chefs donate food for 1,200+ people every year to benefit Cancer Services. Many have been participating for YEARS. We obviously could not host Showcase without them and we are incredibly thankful for their generosity. Remember that this event benefits those living with cancer right here in our community!

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!

Chefs at the 2011 Capital Chefs' Showcase

On Thursday, September 6th at 6:30 p.m. at the Baton Rouge River Center, you can taste a unique creation from each of these participating chefs:

Mrs. Mary R. Aycock

BD Kitchens

Baton Rouge General Blubeonnet - Pennington

Beausoleil

Cafe' Americain

Carrabba's Italian Grill

Chef Celeste at Southside

Chef Don Bergeron Enterprises

Chef KD Louisiana Legends
Cordon Rouge

Culinary Productions, Catering & Event Planning

Drusilla Seafood Restaurant & Catering

Fleming's Steakhouse

French Market Bistro

Heirloom Cuisine

Jasmines on the Bayou

Juban's Restaurant & Catering

Kleinpeter Farms Dairy, Inc.

Little Village

Louisiana Pizza Kitchen

Mansur's on the Boulevard

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Portico

Portobello's Italian Grill & Café

Roberto's

Serop's Cafe

Stroubes

Tsunami

Unique Cuisine

Zea Rotisserie & Grill

Thirty years ago, George Rodrigue painted the original chefs participating in the first Capital Chefs' Showcase. A signed print of that painting will be part of this year's silent auction.

The 30th Annual Capital Chefs’ Showcase: Sept. 6th!

In the 1980s, Cancer Services started its signature fundraiser as a two-day cooking demonstration. Thirty years later Capital Chefs’ Showcase has grown to one of the largest, most anticipated and most imitated events of the year. The night has always been one filled with great food, spectacular silent auction shopping and up-beat music; this year we’re adding to the festivities to mark this special anniversary. Help us celebrate and improve life for those living with cancer on Thursday, September 6th at 6:30 p.m.

Moving the event to the Baton Rouge River Center we’re able to host 30 chefs, inviting new participants from our waiting list. These chefs donate their time and food to provide delicious cuisine to more than 1,200 people ---- all to help Cancer Services with their mission to improve life for those living with cancer in the Greater Baton Rouge area. This event could not happen without their incredible support and generosity.

We’re so pleased to welcome our honorary co-chairs.  Longtime supporters and friends to Cancer Services, LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri and his wife Karen are being joined by cancer survivor Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor, Jay Dardenne and his wife Cathy. Dardenne was diagnosed with non-aggressive prostate cancer during a routine check-up in 2011 and had surgery in November. 

Even though the Greater Baton Rouge community has enjoyed Showcase for the past thirty years, many don’t connect the event with Cancer Services. This is far more than an evening out - it is a way to support friends, coworkers, neighbors and family members who are living with, through and beyond cancer. 

Click here to purchase tickets! 

Miss Fix-It: Cancer Services’ New Partnership

Cindy, bottom right, with some attendees of our 
Digestive and Urinary Cancers Survivorship event.

At Cancer Services partnership is one of our favorite words and with the help of many partners, we want to “fix” your cancer-related issues. Thanks to a new partnership with Get Your Rear in Gear, our clients now have access to Cindy Schneider, a Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse.

But what is an ostomy? For many of our clients living with digestive and urinary cancers it’s a word they know all too well. An ostomy is an opening of the intestine into the wall of the abdomen, required for some patients after the surgical removal or the healing of part of their colons, rectums or intestines.

Patients sometimes feel embarrassed about their ostomies and often find their loved ones are uncomfortable discussing them. Many are sent home with little long-term training or resources to help them adjust. This is where Cindy comes in! In addition to attending support group meetings, Cindy is available for phone consultations and home visits to coach “ostomates” on how to make their ostomies work into their lives, as well as offer emotional support. Cindy says, “The best advice I can give to ostomy patients is that you can still do everything you did before your ostomy. If something isn’t working for you, I can help fix it.” Connecting clients with Cindy’s expertise is another example of how we’re improving life for those living with cancer.

Cancer Services also has a large amount of donated ostomy supplies available to clients free of charge. Our Digestive and Urinary Cancers Support Group meets the third Monday of each month at noon at Cancer Services. Call 225-927-2273 to learn more about the group or our ostomy support services.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Dark Blue is Colorectal's Cancer Awareness Color.

March is colorectal cancer awareness month. Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer among men behind skin, prostate and lung cancer, and the fourth most common among women after skin, breast and lung cancer. The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age with more than 90 percent of cases occurring in people who are 50 years old or older (CDC).



According to the NCI, risk factors for colorectal cancer are:

• being 50 years old or older,
• having a family history of colon cancer or polyps,
• colorectal polyps,
• a personal history of cancer, especially ovarian, endometrial or breast cancer,
• ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease,
• hereditary conditions like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC),
• a diet of high fat and low calcium, folate and fiber and
• cigarette smoking.

It is important to get tested for colorectal cancer if you are 50 years old or older because it can save your life. Many cancers in the early, treatable stages do not cause symptoms so it is important to get tested regularly. Symptoms usually begin to emerge when the cancer has progressed. Some of the symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

• Constipation or Diarrhea
• Blood in or on the stool
• Weight loss with no known reason
• Fatigue
• Vomiting or nausea
• The sensation that the bowel does not empty completely
• Narrow stools (which indicate an obstruction in the colon)
• Chronic abdominal discomfort, like gas pains or cramps or feeling bloated or full

These symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but it is important to visit a doctor so that a proper diagnosis can be made. For more information about colon cancer or screenings in our area, call the Cancer Services Library/Resource Center at 225-927-2273.

Each week, Cancer Services posts a Cancer Q&A in the Health section of The Advocate.

Putting Your Own Mask on First: Caregiver Appreciation

Caregivers of cancer survivors, or those coping with any illness or disability, face unique challenges and often struggle with taking care of themselves as well as their loved one. Esther Sachse, LCSW, Director of Support Programs at Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, equates their situation to the familiar safety drills on airplanes: “When the oxygen masks drop down, you have to put your own mask on before you help others. It’s the same with care-giving, it’s so important for caregivers to take care of themselves well before they can best help their loved ones.”

On February 10^th, Cancer Services took a step in caring for the caregivers by hosting an appreciation luncheon to honor and celebrate all that they do. LSU School of Social Work professor Dr. Scott Wilks, who specializes in caregiver research, spoke and answered questions at the luncheon. This prompted many of the 36 attendees to share their own stories. One woman shared how hard it was to let the nurse they hired actually take over some of the care-giving responsibilities for her husband. Another explained the guilt that comes after feeling frustrated with her loved one, because sometimes even the best caregiver can get aggravated. Fellow caregivers nodded in agreement, empathizing over their shared situation.

Another commented how nice it was to have people just to call and check in, explaining, “Sometimes as a caregiver you need an ear, someone to listen to you.” That’s why the Caregiver Support Group at Cancer Services meets the second Friday of every month at noon. Anyone caring for a loved one, no matter the ailment, is encouraged to attend to help better take care of themselves. Call Natalie at 225-927-2273 if you’d like more information.

Cancer Services: For Body, Mind and Spirit

“YOU HAVE CANCER.”

This year, over 4000 people in the Baton Rouge area will hear these words and join the thousands of others who have already heard them.

For all of them and their families,

Cancer Services is here...

for body

Replenishing much-needed vitamins and nutrients through nutritional supplements

Providing mobility and independence by loan of hospital beds, wheelchairs and other equipment

Giving comfort and well-being though medical and post-surgical supplies

Improving physical function through exercise programs tailored to the needs of cancer survivors

mind

Easing the anxiety of navigating the complicated healthcare system

Relieving financial burdens with prescription assistance and mileage reimbursement to ensure patients get the treatment they need

Offering empathetic ears and the chance to share experiences, thoughts and feelings with others on the same journey through support groups

Empowering patients and family members to make sound decisions regarding their treatment and health with educational programs and up to date resource information

and spirit

Restoring confidence and self-esteem by sharing wigs, hats, scarves and other accessories

Calming the stresses associated with a life-altering diagnosis though yoga and reiki sessions

Improving one's ability to cope through personal counseling

Facilitating opportunities for children to forgo their illness, laugh, play and experience childhood



For more information about Cancer Services, visit our website, call 225-927-2273 or stop by our office at 550 Lobdell Ave. in Baton Rouge. We're open 8:30-4:30 Monday-Friday.