From left to right: CCOLQ Chair Marvel Robertson delivered the check to the LCRC building, pictured here (from left to right) LCRC's CEO Dr. Joe W. Ramos, CFO Deborah Reader, and CAO Sven Davisson

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The Crescent City OLQ Charitable Organization (CCOLQ), the non-profit foundation of the New Orleans chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority,  reaffirmed its support of cancer research by selecting the Louisiana Cancer Research Center as one of its Charities of Choice.

For the last three years, CCOLQ has generously donated to the LCRC. This year, the LCRC was honored at the foundation's annual Heels Of Hope Cancer Awareness Brunch on September 28, 2024.  Approximately 600 luncheon attendees celebrated men and women cancer survivors and raised awareness of the importance of reducing cancer in our state.

Deborah Reeder, the Louisiana Cancer Research Center's chief financial officer, was in attendance and personally thanked the group for their $7,000 donation.

Congressman Troy A. Carter also attended and commented on the group's work promoting cancer awareness. Representative Carter toured the LCRC building last year with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden when she visited the center.

"The overall mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., (AKA/OLQ) is 'service to all mankind.' This donation will support cancer research, thus creating Hope in our community," said Marvel Robertson, chairperson, CCOLQ.  "Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future. Faith is the courage to dance to it today,” Ms. Robertson said. "We join LCRC in working toward a cure and a future where cancer is no longer a word that brings fear."

African American Women have the second highest rate of breast cancer and the highest rate of breast cancer death among all racial and ethnic groups, a 41% higher rate of death than white women, Ms. Robertson emphasized. "Thus, the work of LCRC is personal to many of our 270 African American female members. Our alignment with LCRC in spirit and commitment to recognizing the unique cultural, ethnic, and environmental characteristics of New Orleans and Louisiana further fuels our financial commitment," she said.

"The Louisiana Cancer Research Center is grateful to the  Crescent City OLQ Charitable Organization for its continued support of our cancer-fighting mission. Its dedication to raising community awareness about this deadly disease is key to its prevention," said Joe W. Ramos, PhD, director and CEO of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center and director of the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center.