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.

The Huckaby Family for Cancer Services

Do you worry about your kids? We all do. We worry about how they do in school, about them driving and going out at night. We never worried about cancer until our 14-year-old daughter, Brenna, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor, in September 2010. At that moment, cancer changed our world.

When you see pictures of bald kids smiling after their treatments, that’s just one moment; the reality is sitting in a room for hours and hours with other sick children, having poison pumping through their IVs. After weeks of these chemo treatments, Brenna’s tumor was still growing and we were told that her best chance was amputating her right leg. She had the surgery two weeks later.

We live in a different world now, the world of childhood cancer. We wandered aimlessly into Cancer Services soon after her diagnosis. We didn’t have to ask for anything or even really say anything because they took us by the hand and explained what they could do for our family. The emotional, nutritional and financial services, all free of charge, fulfilled needs we didn’t know we had and helped us with the “what’s next.”



Jeff, Brenna & Kristie Huckaby
with Speckles.

Cancer Services’ Children’s Programs provide us the opportunity to meet other families living in this world of cancer. At the monthly activities, Brenna interacts with other cancer kids, and we get to connect with the parents in a fun, social environment. Cancer Services gives us a break from cancer and the chance for our family to spend precious time together. While we were at MD Anderson in Texas we saw similar programs, but having Cancer Services right here in the Baton Rouge community for these children and everyone else living with cancer is so special and important. But they need your help.

Brenna, a sophomore at St. Michael’s, wears a prosthetic and is returning to gymnastics and making plans to go skiing this winter. Shortly after the amputation she caught a little boy staring at her. As she passed him on her crutches she said smiling over her shoulder, “This is what happens when you don’t eat your vegetables.” Her wonderful attitude, our family and support from Cancer Services are helping to make our world normal again.

In our world, we don’t worry about the small stuff anymore. The most important thing in life is the people in it. We hope you never have to experience our world of cancer, but we’re glad that Cancer Services is here to help make that world a little easier.

Their Children’s Programs have been invaluable to our family, but we know that Cancer Services provides equally important services for adults. They are the only agency in our area providing direct assistance and support to cancer patients – no matter their age – and it’s all free of charge. But they can’t do it without you.

Please consider supporting Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge. You can make a donation online or by mail to 550 Lobdell Ave. Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806. Thank you and best wishes for a meaningful holiday season with your loved ones – in your world.

-Jeff, Kristie and Brenna Huckaby.

Children's Ho-Ho-Holiday Party!

Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge hosted its annual Children’s Holiday Party on December 4th. The Childrens Programs consist of Candlelighters, children with cancer and their siblings, and KidsKare, children who have a parent or guardian living with cancer. Over 300 children, siblings, parents and friends gathered for food, dancing, gifts and of course, Santa! For over 50 years Cancer Services has been improving the lives for those living with, through and beyond cancer in the Greater Baton Rouge area.

Take Home a Piece of Camp Care!

Every year at the Capital Chefs' Showcase Silent Auction, attendees can bid on a bench painted by our Candlelighters at Camp Care.

Part of our Children's Programs, Candlelighters are children living with cancer and their siblings. For one week during the summer, they get to attend a day camp free of charge created especially for them at Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge. A highlight every year is getting their hands on a special convertible bench/table – who doesn’t love finger-painting? The bench then becomes part of the Silent Auction to raise money for Cancer Services to ensure the continuation of programs like Camp Care to aid those living with cancer in our community.

For more information about Camp Care, Showcase, the Silent Auction or Cancer Services, call 225-927-2273 or visit our website.

A Priceless Experience... The 17th Annual Camp Care

Remember summer camp? It’s often a highlight of childhood. However, if you are a child with cancer, your special needs may keep you from those fun activities. Cancer Services’ Camp Care fills this void with a week-long day camp for children with cancer and their siblings. With the help of an on-site nurse and fabulous volunteers, over 50 campers enjoy fishing, bowling, laser tag, movies, and so much more.

Camp Director Jana Poché says Camp Care is so important because these kids “are taken out of the mainstream with their cancer. Camp Care becomes the highlight of their year.” Laurina Conger, mother of 11-year-old camper Mikey, agrees, “Camp Care was our first chance for normalcy in his chaotic life. Mikey’s now post-treatment and he still looks forward to Camp Care every year.”

Campers attend free – but having the chance to laugh, play and experience a childhood outside of their diagnosis is really the priceless part. Log on to our Facebook page to see more pictures!

Dream Night at the Zoo 2011

For the 6^th year, Cancer Services took our children’s programs to Dream Night at the Zoo at BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo. Part of our National Cancer Survivor’s Day weekend celebration, we brought 43 families free of charge and the zoo’s wonderful staff made it possible for everyone to enjoy the animals and activities all to themselves. Highlights were feeding the giraffes, face painting and completing the zoo’s special scavenger hunt.

Our Children’s Programs consist of Candlelighters, children with cancer and their siblings, and KidsKare, children whose parent or guardian is living with cancer. For more information, call 225-927-2273, visit our website or check out our Facebook.