The founders of the Gonzales Area Foundation began with a fundraiser to support Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Gonzales, and its Ascension Parish patients. The first event, the Gonzales Gala, took place in January of 2016 and generated $125,000 in one night – well beyond the original goal of $60,000. The second gala generated more than $125,000.
The founders’ main intention was and still is to assist Mary Bird Perkins in making cancer prevention and treatment in Ascension Parish sustainable for generations to come.
GAF has raised more than $1,000,000 since it was founded.
With the success of the initial fundraiser and realizing the wide array of needs in Ascension Parish, such as the devastating Great Flood of 2016, the Gonzales Area Foundation was formed to provide the residents of Ascension Parish with a financial mechanism to continue its support of cancer treatment and prevention, as well as providing additional means of support following local catastrophic events and natural disasters, while also providing assistance to local schools, law enforcement agencies, drug prevention programs, mental health programs and hospitals.
“The Gonzales Area Foundation is a dedicated partner and steadfast supporter of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and its mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer. Through the Foundation’s generous support, we are able to expand access to prevention and early detection services, offer state-of-the-art treatment technology, and ensure that every patient is surrounded with the essential support programs and services they need close to home. We are extremely grateful for this devoted group of community members and their work to advance the fight against cancer in Ascension Parish.”