Philanthropy
Karnival krewe de louisiane has donated more than $5,300,000 to our recipients
For more than 35 years, Karnival Krewe de Louisiane (KKdL) has been a dedicated partner of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, helping advance cancer prevention, patient care, research, and survivorship throughout Louisiana. Through the generosity of its members and supporters, KKdL has contributed more than $5.3 million to programs that directly impact thousands of patients and families each year.
The 2025–2026 Impact Report demonstrates how KKdL’s support continues to transform lives across our community. Funding provided through this partnership helped expand access to cancer screenings, patient navigation services, transportation assistance, clinical research opportunities, and critical support resources for those facing a cancer diagnosis.
During the past year, KKdL-funded initiatives helped provide more than 2,000 cancer screenings through Prevention on the Go, resulting in the diagnosis of 10 cancers. Patient navigators completed 2,747 psychosocial distress screenings and nearly 1,900 patient touchpoints, helping individuals overcome emotional, financial, and transportation barriers to care.
Support also enabled 53 head and neck cancer patients to receive necessary dental treatment prior to radiation therapy and funded more than 2,500 patient assistance services, including transportation, gas cards, nutrition support, and access to life-saving treatment appointments.
“Karnival Krewe de Louisiane’s unwavering support of the Cancer Center has allowed Mary Bird Perkins to expand the reach of its prevention and early detection program,” said Chrissy Dupuy, senior director of development, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “The success of our screening events, including Live Well Baton Rouge, depends on partners like KKdL who stand alongside us as we look to further our mission and improve the health of our community.”
…Allowing people an opportunity to access cancer screenings helps lead to early diagnoses and better treatment outcomes. That is why it is critical– and a main focus of Mary Bird Perkins’ Prevention on the Go program – to meet people where they live and work. We know that, if we want to improve health outcomes and make a profound difference in the capital region, we must continue to host these types of proactive outreach opportunities.”
- Renea Duffin
Vice President, Cancer Support & Outreach
In addition, KKdL’s investment contributed to a 60% increase in clinical research enrollment, expanded access to innovative therapies, supported the Tumor Registry Program’s management of more than 3,400 new cancer cases, and helped provide financial assistance, medical supplies, nutritional supplements, wigs, and support services to hundreds of patients and families.
Programs and Services Supported by Karnival Krewe de Louisiane Include:
· Clinical Research
· Tumor Registry Program
· Cancer Services
· Endowment Fund
Together, Karnival Krewe de Louisiane and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center continue to improve access to care, advance innovative cancer treatments, and provide compassionate support to patients and families throughout our region. Every dollar raised helps create healthier communities and brighter futures for those impacted by cancer.
SEE THE IMPACT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
