A Visionary Gift Ensures Support for Outreach and Patient Assistance Services on the Northshore

A native of New Orleans, Benjamin “Ben” Blanchard’s love for South Louisiana and his passion for helping others were evident to all who knew him. Although he traveled the world as a ship broker for Van Weilde Charters, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina brought him home to New Orleans where he devoted himself to serving his community and helping the Greater New Orleans community rebuild. Even while undergoing cancer treatment at Mary Bird Perkins, he remained devoted to serving his community. At the age of 33, Ben succumbed to the disease but his legacy of service and dedication to securing the future of cancer care through early detection, prevention and patient assistance efforts live on.

Established in 2016, the Benjamin Blanchard Memorial Foundation honors the late Ben Blanchard by engaging in philanthropy and supporting community programs across the Northshore and Greater New Orleans region.

A generous $665,000 philanthropic commitment from the Benjamin Blanchard Memorial Foundation has established the Ben Blanchard Memorial Endowment Fund within Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation, creating a permanent source of funding to support outreach and patient assistance services in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes.

This gift is just the latest contribution from the Benjamin Blanchard Memorial Foundation. The Foundation’s initial $100,000 gift in 2018 allowed the Cancer Center to launch Live Well Northshore, the Cancer Center’s signature prevention, education and early detection event for St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. It also established the Ben Blanchard Memorial Fund, which has provided an array of comprehensive services for cancer patients, their families and support networks. Since 2018, the Benjamin Blanchard Foundation has been a steadfast supporter of the Cancer Center’s mission, ensuring Ben’s legacy lives on by reflecting his kind and compassionate spirit, especially for those with a cancer diagnosis.

This new gift will strengthen and support Prevention on the Go, a Mary Bird Perkins mobile screening program that provides education, prevention and early detection services in locations where people live, worship, shop and play. With this investment, the Prevention on the Go team will continue its lifesaving work by hosting Live Well Northshore, expanding cancer screenings via its mobile medical clinic and supporting a dedicated team focused on prevention, education and early detection for all. This is especially important in St. Tammany Parish and Washington Parishes where cancer incidence and mortality rates are high.

“This gift will have such a profound impact on our ability to further expand cancer programs and services on the Northshore,” said Mike Miranda, administrator, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington. “By supporting our Prevention on the Go team and expanding our ability to offer early detection services, I have no doubt that this gift will save lives.”

In addition, the endowment fund will provide much-needed resources to patients and families served by Mary Bird Perkins, including transportation assistance, medication, nutritional supplements, and temporary lodging, as well as provide support for the Cancer Center’s Therapeutic Food Pantry.

In honor of Ben and his family, and in recognition of their generous gift, the Mary Bird Perkins infusion area in Covington will be permanently recognized as the Ben Blanchard Infusion Suite.

“Through this visionary gift and the generous support the Ben Blanchard Memorial Foundation has provided to the Northshore community over the past few years, we have a truly extraordinary ally in the fight against cancer,” said Todd Stevens, president and CEO, Mary Bird Perkins. “As the Cancer Center celebrates its 50th anniversary, we hope this gift from the Blanchard family encourages others to engage in our mission. Ben’s legacy is his service to others and that holds true through this endowment fund, which will help advance Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer for years to come.”

Those residing in the Northshore region were very special to Ben. His family, friends and everyone involved have kept his legacy alive through their commitment to ensuring access to personalized, innovative cancer care right here on the Northshore.