Awarded Grants

Jada Dedeaux

William Wolf, Becker, Rene, Ben Guider with the Dedeauxs

Jada Dedeaux, seen here with her mother and brother Donte, is a ten-year-old girl from New Orleans. In March of 2010, Jada was diagnosed with Gliomatosis Cerebri, which is a type of brain tumor rarely found in children.

After completing radiation treatments at Touro Hospital for a period of six weeks, Jada began chemotherapy treatments at Children’s Hospital. Jada travels to the outpatient Oncology Department here at Children’s Hospital weekly to receive these treatments. Both Jada and Donte are avid readers!

Lamika Downs

Hogs Board Member William Wolf, Becker Hall., Rene Louapre, Lamika’s Grandmother Kim Piper, Hogs Board Member Ben Guider with Grant recipient Lamika Downs

Lamika Downs is a 12-year-old girl from New Orleans. In July of 2010, Lamika was diagnosed with a brain tumor referred to as Astrocytoma, stage II. She is currently being followed by Dr. Maria Velez of the Oncology Department at Children’s Hospital. Her treatment plan has consisted of weekly chemotherapy treatments, which she receives here in Children’s outpatient clinic. Clinically, Lamika’s tumor has progressed over a short period of time, acting as a more aggressive (high grade) tumor. In response to the tumor progression, Lamika received radiation treatments under the care of Dr. Zakaris at Touro Medical Center which began in December 27, 2010, along with her chemotherapy treatments.

Lamika plans not only to beat this tumor but to become very outspoken in the community with her story and her experience!

Elizabeth LaFrance

Unfortunately, Elizabeth was feeling too sick for pics but check her out doing the Robot on YouTube!

At age two, Elizabeth, now 4, was diagnosed with a low grade glioma, a type of brain tumor, while visiting her grandmother in New York. Since being diagnosed, Elizabeth has received chemotherapy treatments, as well as three biopsies of her brain tumor in an attempt to confirm her diagnosis. Unfortunately, the first two biopsies were inconclusive and the results from the third biopsy are still pending. Elizabeth’s diagnosis has changed from a low-grade glioma to an aggressive, high-grade glioma. Since March 21, 2011, Elizabeth has been admitted to our inpatient unit here at Children’s Hospital where her treatment plan consists of rehabilitation services and in the near future, radiation treatments. She is currently being followed by her oncologist, Dr. Maria Velez, her neurosurgeon, Dr. Lori McBride, her radiologist, Dr. Ellie Zakris, as well as the Rehabilitation Team here at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Emily Maricle

Board Member Zandy Rainold, Rene and Becker with Grant recipient and beautiful girl Emily Maricle and her mom Janice.

Emily, 8 years old, was diagnosed with an Anaplastic Grade III Ependymoma, which is an aggressive form of Ependymoma with limited treatment options and which carries a somewhat poor prognosis. On March 21 of 2011, the Children’s Hospital neurosurgery team attempted a complete resection of Emily’s tumor. Even though the surgery team was able to remove the majority of Emily’s tumor, she is now neurologically devastated and in need of intensive treatments. She is currently being followed by Joseph Nadell, M.D. and Jamie Morales, M.D. here at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, LA.

The Cure Starts Now – Erin Sarrat

Hogs made a grant to The Cure Starts Now a national organization dedicated to funding and finding a cure for all cancers. The Cure Starts Now believes that finding a cure to pediatric brain cancer will spur developments in treatment and cure options for all types of cancer. The level of grant given ensures that Erin Sarrat, the mother of Ben, Jr., has a seat on the national board and can direct funds to research projects which have a real shot at cooking cancer.