Cancer Center Acadiana Celebrating Cancer Survivor’s Day, Pancreatic Research

Cancer Center of Acadiana (CCA) at Lafayette General Medical Center will enjoy its Cancer Survivor’s Day activities on Friday, June 5, from 1-3 p.m. The official day of observation is Sunday, June 7.

One major highlight of the afternoon’s events will be the announcement of Lafayette General’s arrangement with Lafayette City-Parish Councilman Kevin Naquin’s Pancreatic Cancer Research foundation. Naquin has agreed to split proceeds raised at his upcoming golf tournament (June 15 at Le Triomphe) between Lafayette General Foundation and MD Anderson to fund pancreatic cancer research. CCA currently has a local clinical trial underway conducting research on pancreatic cancer.

Other events planned at CCA include the presentation of a painting, donated by Dr. Imir Ibrahim, to the Oncology Department at LGMC, a song from Oncologist Molly Thomas, M.D., and presentations from a few guest speakers.

Naquin’s golf tournament, now in its third year, traditionally donated funds to MD Anderson in Houston and the national Lustgarden Foundation for pancreatic cancer research. The first two years of the tournament raised more than $44,000.

Naquin became active in raising awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer research after his father was diagnosed in 2011. His father has undergone chemotherapy and treatments, and is hopefully on the road to recovery. But, Naquin’s father-in-law was also struck with pancreatic cancer and is currently undergoing treatment.

Naquin hopes to raise funds for research to find new ways of treating pancreatic cancer. While looking for sponsorship for his golf tournament, he learned that Lafayette General is currently conducting a clinical trial on pancreatic cancer. Because of that, Naquin decided that some portion of his golf tournament proceeds should be utilized locally.

Lafayette General Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Lafayette General Health, will oversee Lafayette General’s share of the donations to make sure they go towards securing future research studies and raising awareness about pancreatic cancer.

Through an online survey, LGH’s Research Department is currently assessing the impact of chemotherapy on the quality of life of pancreatic cancer patients, ages 18 and older. The study will ultimately evaluate the medications Abraxane and Gemcitabine in patients diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

For more information on this and other clinical trials available through Lafayette General Health, call (337) 289-8658. For more information on the Kevin Naquin for Pancreatic Cancer Research foundation, visit www.naquin4pcr.com. To donate to Lafayette General Foundation, visit our foundation page.