Life Savers Gala provides funding for medical grants

Life Savers Idea Award winner, Dr. Jason Bodily, was able to study and collect data on human papillomaviruses that can promote the development of cancer with a $40,000 local grant awarded at the Life Savers Gala last year.

The Life Savers Gala was created to assist those researching cancer and cancer treatments. All proceeds from the event stay within the community and the recipients of those grants have been able to expand upon their opportunities like the funds awarded to Bodily.

“Life Savers began in 1998. This event was started to raise funds for local cancer research grants which are award on a competitive basis,” Anne Higdon, with Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, said. “Over the years, 26 local cancer researchers have received over $1.3 million locally raised in these ‘Idea Grants.’ Winners have turned this investment into almost $12 million from national grant funding sources.”

Bodily’s research allowed him to apply for additional grants from the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society worth $275,000 and $660,000, respectively. Only a small amount of grant requests are funded, and because of the local grants provided by the Life Savers Gala, researchers are able to further develop their findings and ideas in order to compete on national levels.

The 17th annual Life Savers Gala will be held on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in the ballroom at Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino. The event, which benefits cancer research and treatment at LSU Health Shreveport Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, is dedicated to fundraising for grants that are awarded inhouse to doctors and scientists.

This year’s event theme has been dubbed “Jeans and Jerseys” for a casual affair of dinner and dancing.

“Life Savers alternates between a formal year and a casual year theme. The chairmen wanted to do something ‘sports wise’ in keeping with the season,” Higdon said.

This year’s gala will also be focused on the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program The only such program in the city, the event will be in tribute to the program’s 40th anniversary and will have a special moment during the evening in dedication.

The night’s festivities will surround the “Jeans and Jerseys” theme, while guests with live music for dancing the night away.

“The event includes a large silent auction, and a special halftime program to highlight the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program,” Higdon said. “Following this, guests will enjoy the Molly Ringwolds [for live entertainment]. Guests are encouraged to wear a jersey and support their favorite team and sport. A large number [of guests have taken] advantage of the opportunity to purchase special ‘Cancer Fighter’ jerseys. Because of the theme, the auction includes lots of autographed sports memorabilia including a Charles Barkley jersey, baseball autographed by Cal Ripken and Tom

Glavine, a VIP package to the 2 Seam Dream Foundation weekend featuring MLB players in Baton Rouge as well as lots of LSU merchandise!” The sponsors and guests of the event are the reason for the Life Savers Gala success, contributing to Feist-Weiller Cancer Center’s mission of treating cancer patients, performing basic science cancer research and providing cancer prevention and education programs for healthcare professionals and the community. Sponsorships begin at $2,000 for a table of 10 or $400 per couple.

–Katie Ho